This rare Ohio wildflower heralds spring with a rosette of buttery-soft, lance-shaped leaves that grow up to 6 inches long. The emerald to grayish-green foliage glows against the backdrop of winter detritus, persisting into summer before going dormant. Soon after the basal leaves develop, one or more leafless flower stalks emerge from the foliage, rising 18 to 24 inches in height. Each stalk is topped off by an umbel of 8 to 20 dangling blooms whose upward-reflexed petals give the impression of shooting stars zooming to Earth. The color of the petals may vary within populations, ranging from rose pink to white with accents of yellow and maroon, while the tip of the "shooting star" consists of a pointed cluster of long, yellow stamens encasing one green style. 
 
Midland shooting star prefers part shade and moist to average, well-drained soils ranging from humusy to sandy or rocky. Clay soils are tolerated, but poorly drained sites should be avoided, especially during winter months when it can develop root rot in wetter sites. In the wild, shooting star is found in areas ranging from moist and to slightly dry. It will tolerate full shade as long as the soil is moist (not wet) during the spring season. Full sun is only recommended in areas with cooler summers. It has a preference for slopes and other sites that protect it from being overshadowed by taller competitors.
 
Queen bumble bees are the most typical visitors of the uniquely shaped flowers. They obtain pollen from the flowers by rapidly vibrating their thoracic muscles, a process called "buzz pollination." Other bee visitors include Anthophorine, long-horned, and green metallic bees. All of these insects are vying for pollen, as the flowers offer no nectar.
 
Midland shooting star is propagated from seed or division of the fibrous root system in fall when dormant. Seeds need to be sown fresh in summer or stratified (moist or dry) over the winter. It's best to dig in young seedlings during cool, rainy spring weather. The seedlings grow very slowly, taking 3 to 4 years to flower. Over time, offsets will gradually develop into new plants. 
 
Midland shooting star, also known as pride of Ohio, is native to central and eastern North America and is found mostly in the southwestern part of our state along with a few scattered sections in the northeastern quadrant. Other common names include eastern shooting star, American cowslip, and roosterheads. Prairie settlers, who encountered the charming plant far more often, named it "prairie pointers." The Ohio Deptartment of Natural Resources recommends visiting Miller Nature Sanctuary State Nature Preserve, which is south of Columbus, to view large populations of this rare plant.
 
Native habitats include moist prairies, meadows, and open woods. Use in woodlands, borders, on slopes, in naturalized areas, or in rock gardens. Perfect for pairing with other spring ephemerals and later-blooming plants.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 1-2' tall and up to 1' wide.
 
Prefers part shade. Tolerates full sun as long as soil is moist in the spring.
 
Prefers well-drained moist to slightly dry soils that are loamy, sandy, slightly rocky, or clay. Avoid poorly drained sites.
 
White to deep pink, 1" flowers bloom April-May. Fruits are erect, oval-shaped, mahogany-colored capsules about ¾" long containing very fine seeds that are dispersed by wind.
 
Leaves are up to 6" long and 2½" across, broadly oblong or oblanceolate-elliptic, and hairless. They have a prominent central vein and smooth margins.
 
Root system is fibrous.
 
Reproductive System: Flowers have both male and female parts (bisexual, perfect, hermaphroditic). They are considered self-fertile and are also pollinated by bees.
 
Wildlife Value:
Native and bumble bees visit for pollen. Deer tend to avoid browsing the foliage.
 
Resources:
Illinois Wildflowers
: https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/shootingstarx.htm
 
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center:
 https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=dome
 
Ohio Dept of Natural Resources
: https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/flowering-plants/shooting-star
 
Wisconsin Hort. Extension
: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/shooting-star-dodecatheon-meadia/No