Shooting Star

Description:

From each basal rosette of lance-shaped leaves come 1-4 sturdy, leafless, center flower scapes rising to 20" tall. Atop each flower scape is an umbel containing 8-20, nodding, 1" long flowers. Each flower has five swept-back (reflexed) petals and a cluster of yellow stamens converging to a point, thus giving the flower the appearance of a shooting star plummeting to earth.

Habitat:

Typically occurs in open woods and glades, rocky wooded slopes, bluff ledges, meadows and prairies. This one was photographed at the Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve near Clarks Hill (McCormick County), SC. Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve; McCormick County, SC. This rare, perennial herb is listed as a Species of Concern in South Carolina.