Andy's Yukon Wildflowers

Northern Shootingstar

Dodecatheon frigidum
(Pronounced doh-dek-ATH-ee-on FRIJ-uh-dum)

Also known as: Frigid Shooting Star, Western arctic shootingstar, Western artic shootingstar. Habitat: This species occurs in wet meadows, moist tundra, rocky slopes and open forests located in the alpine and tundra meadows. Interest: Shootingstar has one to several nodding flowers that occur as terminal clusters on flowering stems. The flowers have pointed magenta petals which are reflexed backward.  The name "Shootingstar" describes the form of the flower. Like a shooting star, the stamens point the way and the reflexed petals stream back like the tail of a shooting star. It is said that the buzzing of bumble bees creates a sound wave that pollinates the flower. Flower colour: Magenta, pink. Location: Sugarloaf Mountain, south of Carcross, Yukon Date: July 3, 2007

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URL: http://www.ontariowildflower.com/northern_shootingstar.htm
© 2007-2008 Andy Fyon
Sudbury, Ontario