Primula pauciflora

Primula pauciflora is a widespread and highly variable polyploid complex (2n = 44, 88 and 132). The species is generally hairless, with a flowering stem 10–40 cm (4–16 in) tall. The inflorescence is made up of between 2 and fifteen flowers. The flower generally has 9–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) long petals, magenta to lavender in color.[2]

Primula pauciflora has been divided into up to seven varieties each with their own often complex set of synonyms. Primula pauciflora var. pauciflora, synonym Dodecatheon pulchellum, is a herbaceous perennial with single, leafless flower stems, growing from very short erect root stocks with no bulblets. It grows to a height of 5–40 cm (2.0–15.7 in). Its leaves are basal, 2–15 cm long, blades oblong-lanceolate to oblanceolate, mostly entire to somewhat small-toothed, narrowed gradually to winged stalks nearly as long. Each plant has between 1 and 25 flowers clustered at the stem top. The calyx is usually purple-flecked, and the five lobes are 3 to 5 millimeters long. The corolla is 10 to 20 millimeters long, the 5 lobes swept backwards, purplish-lavender, seldom white, the short tube yellowish, usually with a purplish wavy line at the base. The filaments are joined into a yellowish tube 1.5–3 mm long, which is smooth or only slightly wrinkled. The 5 anthers are joined to a projecting point, usually yellowish to reddish-purple, 4–7 mm long. The stigma is slightly larger than the style. This plant flowers between April and August. The fruits are capsules, many-seeded, ovoid-cylindric, hairless to glandular-hairy, membranous to firm-walled, 5–15 mm long, opening from the tip into sharp teeth.

As of April 2022, Plants of the World Online accepted seven varieties (distributions from the same source):[1]

• Primula pauciflora var. cusickii (Greene) A.R.Mast & Reveal – British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington State, Wyoming
• Primula pauciflora var. distola (Reveal) A.R.Mast & Reveal – South Dakota, Wyoming
• Primula pauciflora var. macrocarpa (A.Gray) A.R.Mast & Reveal – Alaska, British Columbia, California, Oregon, Washington State
• Primula pauciflora var. monantha (Greene) A.R.Mast & Reveal – California, Oregon, Utah, Washington State
• Primula pauciflora var. pauciflora – widespread from subarctic America to Mexico
• Primula pauciflora var. shoshonensis (A.Nelson) A.R.Mast & Reveal – California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah
• Primula pauciflora var. zionensis (Eastw.) A.R.Mast & Reveal – Arizona, Colorado, Utah

Under the name Dodecatheon pulchellum, the plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[4][5] In cultivation it is hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F), but prefers a sheltered location in partial or full shade with neutral or acid soil, such as a woodland setting.[4]

The pretty shooting star was used medicinally by the Okanagan-Colville and Blackfoot Indians. An infusion of the roots was used as a wash for sore eyes. A cooled infusion of leaves was used for eye drops. An infusion of leaves was gargled, especially by children, for cankers.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dodecatheon pulchellum.

• USDA Plants Profile Dodecatheon pulchellum (Pretty shooting star)
• Calflora Database: Dodecatheon pulchellum
• Montana plant Life – Pretty shooting star (Dodecatheon pulchellum)
• University of Washington : The Burke Museum Herbarium – Dodecatheon pulchellum (Pretty shooting star)