Dodecatheon alpinum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dodecatheon alpinum
Scientific classification
Genus:	Dodecatheon
Species:	alpinum

The Alpine Shooting Star (Dodecatheon alpinum) is a beautiful wild plant. It belongs to the primrose family, called Primulaceae. This plant lives for many years, which means it's a perennial.

You can find this wildflower in the Western United States. It grows in states like California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. It loves wet places in the mountains, like the Sierra Nevada and Transverse Ranges.

What Does the Alpine Shooting Star Look Like?

The Alpine Shooting Star is a plant that loves water. It often grows near the edges of bogs. You can also find it in shallow, slow streams. This plant has thick roots. It also has long, narrow leaves around its base.

Stems and Flowers

This plant grows slim, tall stems. These stems are usually dark in color. At the top of each stem, you will see a cluster of one or more pretty flowers. This cluster is called an inflorescence.

When a flower first blooms, it nods downwards. Its opening points towards the ground. As the flower gets older, it stands up straighter.

Flower Parts

Each flower has four petals. These petals are called sepals. They are bright pink or lavender. They bend backwards, away from the center of the flower. The base of these petals might be white or yellow. This forms a rim around the main part of the flower, called the corolla.

From the center of the flower, you will see large black parts sticking out. These are called anthers. They are part of the male reproductive system of the flower. There is also a thin, thread-like part called a stigma. This is part of the female reproductive system.

The Alpine Shooting Star blooms from June to August.