Amsonia tabernaemontana Walter Dwarf bluestar, common bluestar
Bluestar is native to the central United States. It prefers rocky woodlands and ravines, stream borders, limestone glades, and moist sandy meadows. Plants: Perennial, 1-3′ (30-91 cm), forming large clumps with many branches. Stems are light green, smoothly cylindrical, and hairless. Leaves: Narrow, oval, bright green above, pale below, 2-4″ (5-10 cm) long. Leaves have a petiole (stem) up to 1″ (2.5 cm) long. Flowers: In compact, rounded panicles. Each flower is tubular, opening to a star of five narrow pointed light blue petals ½-¾″ (1.3-1.9 cm) around. Flower centers are pale yellow. They appear in May. Fruits: Cylindrical seed pods are 3-4½″ (8-12 cm) long, containing hard, black seeds. Pods are curved and sharp-tipped. Online References:
Fyi.extension.wisc.edu (Great photos and info) The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center References:
Clemants, Steven; Gracie, Carol, Wildflowers in the Field and Forest, Oxford University Press, 2006, p. 14
Amsonia tabernaemontana description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020. |
Range: Zones 3-9:
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