Sierra shooting star facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dodecatheon jeffreyi |
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| Dodecatheon jeffreyi in Henry M. Jackson Wilderness | |
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Dodecatheon
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D. jeffreyi
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| Dodecatheon jeffreyi Van Houtte
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The Dodecatheon jeffreyi, also known as the Sierra shooting star, Jeffrey's shooting star, or tall mountain shooting star, is a beautiful wild flower. It belongs to the primrose family. This plant grows naturally in western North America. You can find it from California all the way up to Alaska and over to Montana. It loves to grow in mountain meadows and along streambanks.
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What the Sierra Shooting Star Looks Like
The Sierra shooting star is a perennial, which means it lives for more than two years. It has thick roots that help it survive. Around the bottom of the plant, you'll see long, slightly wrinkled leaves.
This plant sends up slim, tall stems. These stems are usually dark in color and have small hairs on them. At the very top of each stem, you'll find a cluster of 3 to 18 bright flowers.
The Unique Flowers
Each flower on the Sierra shooting star is quite special. When they are fresh, the flowers nod downwards, almost like they are looking at the ground. As they get older, they stand up straighter.
The flowers have four or five petals, called sepals, that bend backwards. These petals can be pink, lavender, or white. At the base of each petal, there's a bright yellow spot. In the middle of the flower, you'll see large, dark anthers sticking out. These surround a thin, thread-like stigma.
Where This Plant Grows
The Sierra shooting star is native to a large area of western North America. It grows in many different places, including:
- California
- Oregon
- Washington (state)
- Idaho
- Montana
- Alaska
- Parts of Canada
It prefers wet areas like mountain meadows and the edges of streams.
Special Uses and Its Name
Long ago, the Nlaka'pamux people, who are an Indigenous group, thought the flowers of this plant brought good luck. They used them as amulets, which are charms believed to protect or bring good fortune. They even used them as love charms!
The plant Dodecatheon jeffreyi was named to honor a botanist named John Jeffrey. A botanist is a scientist who studies plants.
