Trientalis borealis Raf.
Starflower, may star, Star-of-Bethlehem
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass Asteridae A large class that encompasses asters
Order Ericales Tea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others
Family Primulaceae Primrose family
Genus Trientalis One-third of a foot in height, about the height of these small plants
Species borealis Northern
About plant names...
Starflowers are native to wooded areas of North America.
The genus Trientalis means "a third of a foot," possibly a reference to the height of these
diminutive plants: about a third of a foot (4 inches). Borealis means northern.
Identification: Plants are 4-8″ (10-20 cm) tall. From 5 to 9
narrow leaves are arranged in a whorl around a stem, each leaf 1-4″ (3-10 cm) long by ⅜-¾″ (1-2 cm) wide. Leaves are light green, and
may be smooth or have fine teeth. Usually one, or sometimes two or three flowers, each about
½″ (1.3 cm) across, appear on each stem. Flowers usually have seven petals, sometimes 5 or 9.
They are white, sometimes pink; stamens are yellow. Flowering is during May and June.
The shape of the flowers is
probably their most unmistakable feature.
Online References:
Earl J.S. Rook's Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky ...
The Natural History of the Northwoods
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Academics.skidmore.edu
The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site
CalPhotos
Wikimedia Commons
EFloras
4/30/2010 · Stan and Connie’s, Falmouth, Maine · By Constance B. Kent
5/18/2021 · Cathance River Nature Preserve, Topsham, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)
5/12/2023 · Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell, Maine
4/23/2021 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)
5/25/2023 · Maquoit Bay Conservation Land, Brunswick, Maine
5/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
5/4/2012 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
5/20/2014 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
5/12/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Broo, Hollis, New Hampshire
5/18/2018 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 11 cm)
5/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)
5/17/2021 · Bijhouwer Forest, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 8.7 cm)
Trientalis borealis description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 11 Jul 2023.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
5/14/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire
5/17/2021 · Bijhouwer Forest, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)
5/25/2023 · Maquoit Bay Conservation Land, Brunswick, Maine
5/18/2017 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Wildflower Trail, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)
5/18/2018 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)
5/20/2016 · Jeff Smith trail off Bemis Road, Pepperell, Massachusetts
5/20/2021 · Eaton Farm Preserve, Wiscasset, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)
Before flowering. · 5/7/2021 · Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)
5/20/2012 · J. Harry Rich State Forest, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
5/16/2014 · Acton Arboretum, Action, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 10″ (16 × 25 cm)
5/18/2018 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)
5/21/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
5/20/2016 · Jeff Smith trail off Bemis Road, Pepperell, Massachusetts
4/28/2023 · Josephine Newman Sanctuary, Georgetown, Maine
Range: Zones 3-7:
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