# Henderson's shooting star (*Primula hendersonii*) Henderson's shooting star is a beautiful flower that blooms in spring. Its unique shape and bright colors make it a special sight in nature, often found in cool, moist areas. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Henderson's shooting star](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Dodecatheon_hendersonii.jpg&width=800) Photo: Eric in SF, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dodecatheon_hendersonii.jpg) ## Appearance The Henderson's shooting star has slender, reddish stems topped with clusters of unique magenta-pink flowers. Each bloom features five petals sharply swept backward, revealing a contrasting yellow and white tube. Its leaves form a crinkled, green basal rosette. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Ericales - **Family:** Primulaceae - **Genus:** Dodecatheon ## Interesting facts - Early spring is the best time to spot its vibrant pink and purple blossoms! - Its petals sweep backward, making it look like a shooting star soaring upwards! - Sometimes, scientists call this beautiful plant by its old name, Dodecatheon! - This wildflower loves cool, moist forests and meadows in western North America! ## Special abilities - **Early Bloomer Power:** Henderson's shooting star can bloom very early in spring to grab sunlight before taller trees leaf out. - **Upside-Down Bloom:** It has petals swept back to guide insect pollinators to the nectar, encouraging efficient visits! - **Seed Fling:** Its dry seed capsules can burst open, flinging tiny seeds away to grow new shooting star plants! ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-40 cm - **Spread:** 15-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Yellow-faced Bumblebee (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) — Bumblebees are key visitors to its upside-down flowers. - **Pollinates:** [Blue Orchard Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-orchard-bee) (*Osmia lignaria*) — Native orchard bees collect pollen and nectar from the blooms. - **Eaten by:** [Banana Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/banana-slug) (*Ariolimax columbianus*) — Slugs might munch on its leaves, especially when young. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look at flowers but don't pick them, so they can keep growing for everyone to enjoy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Henderson's shooting star? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Henderson's shooting star? 10-40 cm ### How wide does Henderson's shooting star spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on Henderson's shooting star? 1-2 cm ### When does Henderson's shooting star bloom? Spring ### Is Henderson's shooting star edible? No ### Is Henderson's shooting star toxic? Mild ### What is Henderson's shooting star's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Forts Baker, Barry, and Cronkhite](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/forts-baker-barry-and-cronkhite) — California, US · Historic District - [Dionisio Point Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dionisio-point-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [English Camp - San Juan Island National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/english-camp-san-juan-island-national-historical-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Matheson Lake Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/matheson-lake-regional-park) — British Columbia, CA · Park - [ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/u-wel-ew-john-dean-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Gowlland Tod Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gowlland-tod-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Henderson's shooting star](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hendersons-shooting-star) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Henderson's shooting star: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hendersons-shooting-star)