Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Ericales

Family: Primulaceae

Genus: Dodecatheon

Species: D. meadia

Popular Name "Shooting Star"

Dodecatheon meadia, known as Shooting Star, is a species of wildflower found in the South Eastern United States, from South Eastern Minnesota and Southern Wisconsin to Oklahoma and Texas, and Maryland to Georgia and Alabama. Grows in moist or dry woods and prairies. . It blooms in the spring, around May.

It must have been introduced to Britain in the first half of the !8th Century and was named after the celebrated physician, Dr Richard Mead.

Cultivation

It has been described as "A very popular herbaceous perennial with beautiful heads of several drooping cyclamen-like flowers. Well deserving their popular name of ‘Shooting Stars’." Two varieties include:

MEADIA.
The attractive rose coloured flowers have yellow and white bases. Likes a semi-shady position.
Height: 12"
Flowers: May

MEADIA ALBA.
Quite spectacular. A true pure white form of the above, which contrasts well with its darker ‘nose’.
Height: 12"
Flowers: May