Few-flowered shooting stars (Dodecatheon pulchellum sp. now Dodacatheon pauciflora) are native perennial wildflowers in the primrose family (Primulaceae) that bloom in April and May in our area.    From fibrous root stocks, leafless stems grow up to 40 cm.    A rosette of mostly glabrous lanceolate leaves taper off below the inflorescence.

The purple to lavender flowers are complex, but it is notable that the corolla lobes are turned backwards.    They are quite distinctive, but they are also quite variable.    All photos by the author.

 

 

After flowering, small capsules form.   During times of drought, the plant dies back to the roots.    They flourish in damp conditions, but can be spotted across a wide variety of habitats.

Shooting stars can be grown in the home garden, but transplants are rarely successful.    There are a number of varieties which can be spotted in other zones in BC, but across many parts of western North America.