Identification
This showy perennial flower begins as a rosette of spoon-shaped basal leaves (D,E). It is best recognized by its leafless flower stalk bearing a cluster (umbel) of white or pink flowers with sharply swept back petals resembling a collection of stars that is responsible for the common name Shooting-star (A,C). The 5 petaled flowers are fused at the base into a short tube ringed with variable bands of pink, yellow or maroon (B). Slender stamens closely appressed to the long projecting style form the long tubular tip of the “star”. Flowers are replaced by cylindrical capsules with pointed tips (F).
This species of Shooting-star is native to the Eastern US up to Southern Missouri, but not native in Nebraska. A lovely plant, it is favorite of many gardeners and has been widely planted for its beauty. Another species in this genus (Dodecatheon pulchellum) grows in hay meadows of Western Nebraska.
Pride of Ohio is rare at our nature centers with only 2 known records. At Fontenelle Forest it was present for a time in the garden area in front of the nature center (photos A,B,E) where it was clearly planted. In late April of 2024 a single plant (photos C,D) appeared in the Jonas Prairie restoration at Neale Woods, but was not seen in 2025. Its origin remains a bit of a mystery. Flowering occurs in late April or May.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.