| Classification Hierarchy | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Subkingdom | Tracheophyta |
| Superdivision | Spermatophyta |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Subclass | Dilleniidae |
| Order | Primulales |
| Family | Primulaceae |
| Genus | Dodecatheon |
| Species | Dodecatheon meadia |
Shooting star is on the Threatened and Endangered species lists in several midwestern states. D. amethystinum is listed as "threatened" on Iowa's list. If you come across it, don't disturb it. The inflorescence of a dozen or so nodding buds and flowers appear on a scape which arises from a basal rosette of narowly eliptic-oblong leaves.
The USDA indicates fifteen species in the genus Dodecatheon, of which two are found in Iowa: D. amethystinum, and D. meadia.
Flowers; lilac to pale pink to white. noding in flower ascending in fruit.
inflorescence: several to many flowers in an umbel atop a scape 1.5 to 5 dm long.
Leaves; oblong-elliptical form a basal rosette.
Glossary: Botanical Terms pdf
