Trientalis borealis (Starflower)

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:

Trientalis borealis on

Trientalis borealis at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Trientalis borealis on academics.skidmore.edu

Trientalis borealis on the Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site

Trientalis borealis on CalPhotos

Trientalis borealis on Wikimedia Commons

Trientalis borealis on eFloras

4/30/2010 · Stan and Connie’s, Falmouth, Maine · By Constance B. Kent

5/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Massachusetts
≈ 6 × 4½" (15 × 11 cm)

5/4/2012 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, Massachusetts
≈ 4 × 3½" (10 × 9.8 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 Brook Association, 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
≈ 8 × 7" (20 × 18 cm)

Trientalis borealis description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

5/14/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hampshire
≈ 11 × 7" (26 × 17 cm)

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

5/20/2012 · J. Harry Rich State Forest, Groton, Massachusetts
≈ 3½ × 3½" (9.4 × 8.7 cm)

5/16/2014 · Acton Arboretum, Action, Massachusetts
≈ 7 × 8" (16 × 20 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
≈ 4½ × 4½" (12 × 11 cm)

5/20/2016 · Jeff Smith trail off Bemis Road, Pepperell, Massachusetts

Range: Zones 3-7:

About this map...