This spring one of the wildflowers that I saw and photographed for the first time was Shooting Stars (Dodecatheon meadia). A member of the Primrose Family (primulaceae), I photographed it at Reflection Riding Arboretum in Chattanooga, Tennessee in April and at the Botanical Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina in early May.

(c) 2010 Patty Hankins

Shooting stars bloom in the spring. Growing up to 2 feet in height, they are easily identified by their nodding flowers with backward pointing petals. Both sets of shooting stars that I photographed had white blossoms. The blossoms can be found in a range of colors from white through the pinks and into the purples. They grow in open woods, meadows and prairies.

(c) 2010 Patty Hankins

This wildflower got it’s common name from it’s resemblance to celestial shooting stars. It’s botanical name is derived from the Greek dodeca (twelve) and theos (god) – referring to the primrose family’s traditionally association with and protection by twelve superior gods – a relationship first defined by Pliny. Other common names for Shooting Stars include Pride of Ohio, American Cowslip and Johnny Jump.

(c) 2010 Patty Hankins

Shooting stars are native to North America – found from New York south to Floria, west to Texas and north to Minnesota and in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It is listed as endangered in Florida, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

(c) 2010 Patty Hankins

I would love to find some of the pink and purple shooting stars to photograph. From photos I’ve seen on the web – they can be spectacular.

If you’d like to learn more about Gray’s Lilies – some online sites with additional information include

Hort.net profile of Dodecatheon meadia

USDA Plant Profile for Dodecatheon meadia

Native Plant Network Protocol for Dodecatheon meadia

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Dodecatheon meadia

Missouriplants.com profile for Dodecatheon meadia

Revision of Dodecatheon by James L. Reveal