Lysimachia borealis | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Ericales |
Family: | Primulaceae |
Genus: | Lysimachia |
Species: | L. borealis
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Binomial name | |
Lysimachia borealis (Raf.) U.Manns & Anderb.
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Synonyms[3] | |
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Lysimachia borealis (synonym Trientalis borealis), the starflower, is a North American woodland perennial that blooms between May and June.[4][5]
Starflowers have creeping rhizomes with 5–20 cm (2.0–7.9 in) vertical stalks. Each stalk has a whorl of 5–10 lanceolate leaves (up to 8 centimetres or 3.1 inches long) at its tip, with one to four (most often one or two) white flowers on smaller stalks extending from the center of the whorl. The flowers are about 15 mm (1⁄2 in) across and consist of five to nine petals that form a star-like shape. Its fruit is tiny, globe-shaped, pale blue, and matte.[6][7]
Lysimachia borealis is found from Canada to north-central and eastern United States. It is found in temperate climates.[8]
Two subspecies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
Lysimachia borealis is considered to be of "least concern" overall according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.[1] As of 2017, L. borealis is listed as endangered by Georgia and Kentucky and as threatened by Illinois and Tennessee.[11]