Shooting Star
Dodecatheon meadia
Picture taken April 27, 2000
This plant, rare in our area, is more frequently found in the north-central U.S. It belongs to the Primrose family (Primulaceae). The reflexed petals give the flowers a striking, rocket-like appearance. The scientific name comes from the Greek dodeka, twelve, and theos, god; signifying Flower of the Twelve Gods. An herbaceous perennial, it is often cultivated, particularly in rock gardens.
Shooting Stars are buzz-pollinated. Only certain bees, such as bumblebees (not honey-bees) are able to perform this type of pollination. The pollen has to be shaken out of the anthers which open through pores. The bee grasps the flower and vibrates its wing-muscles up to 300 cycles per second. In many cases, flowers which are buzz-pollinated face downwards when in full bloom. This is true of Shooting Stars. Other examples of flowers built for buzz-pollination are tomato, blueberries, cranberries and egg-plants.
Plant Name Index
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April 20
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