Trientalis borealis Raf.
Starflower, may star, Star-of-Bethlehem
Starflowers are native to wooded areas of North America. The genus Trientalis means “a third of a foot,” possibly a reference to the height of these diminutive plants: about a third of a foot (4 inches). Borealis means northern.
Plants: 4–8″ (10–20 cm) tall.
Leaves: From 5 to 9 narrow leaves are arranged in a whorl around a stem, each leaf 1–4″ (3–10 cm) long by ⅜–¾″ (1–2 cm) wide. Leaves are light green, and may be smooth or have fine teeth.
Flowers: Usually one, or sometimes two or three flowers, each about ½″ (1.3 cm) across, appear on each stem. Flowers usually have seven petals, sometimes 5 or 9. They are white, sometimes pink; stamens are yellow. Flowering is during May and June. The shape of the flowers is probably their most unmistakable feature.
Fruits: Small, five-celled capsules that dry and split open, releasing tiny seeds.
Habitats: Forest floors, cedar swamps, bogs.
Online References:
5/4/2012 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 4½″ (12 × 11 cm) 
4/23/2021 · Otter Brrok Preserve, Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 4 × 2½″ (10 × 7.2 cm) 
5/25/2023 · Maquoit Bay Conservation Land, Brunswick, Maine 
5/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4½″ (15 × 11 cm) 
5/18/2025 · Center Point Preserve, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 4 × 4″ (11 × 10 cm) 
6/9/2026 · Lost Pond Trail, Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire · ≈ 4 × 3½″ (10 × 9.6 cm) 
5/17/2024 · Robert P. Tristam Coffin Wildflower Preserve, Woolwich, Maine · ≈ 4½ × 3½″ (11 × 9.2 cm) 
5/26/2023 · Pownalborough Courthouse Trail, Dresden, Maine 
5/4/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 7″ (20 × 18 cm) 
5/17/2021 · Bijhouwer Forest, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 3½ × 2½″ (9.8 × 6.6 cm) 
5/25/2023 · Maquoit Bay Conservation Land, Brunswick, Maine 
5/17/2024 · Robert P. Tristam Coffin Wildflower Preserve, Woolwich, Maine · ≈ 4 × 4″ (11 × 10 cm) 
5/18/2025 · Center Point Preserve, Bowdoinham, Maine · ≈ 6 × 5″ (15 × 13 cm) 
5/20/2016 · Jeff Smith trail off Bemis Road, Pepperell, Massachusetts 
5/20/2021 · Eaton Farm Preserve, Wiscasset, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) 
5/20/2012 · J. Harry Rich State Forest, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 3½ × 3½″ (9.4 × 8.7 cm) 
5/16/2014 · Acton Arboretum, Action, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 8″ (16 × 19 cm) 
5/18/2018 · Blue Trail, Willard Brook State Park, Ashby, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 5″ (16 × 12 cm) 
5/21/2013 · Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hampshire · ≈ 4½ × 4½″ (11 × 12 cm) 
5/5/2023 · Morse Mountain, Phippsburg, Maine 
5/20/2016 · Jeff Smith trail off Bemis Road, Pepperell, Massachusetts 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta | Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients |
| Division | Magnoliophyta | Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms |
| Class | Magnoliopsida | Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves |
| Subclass | Asteridae | A large class that encompasses asters |
| Order | Ericales | Tea, persimmon, blueberry, Brazil nut, azalea, many others |
| Family | Primulaceae | Primrose family |
| Genus | Trientalis | One-third of a foot in height, about the height of these small plants |
| Species | borealis | Northern |
Trientalis borealis description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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