Eastern Shooting Star (Primula meadia) is in the primrose family family (Primulaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,965 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Eastern Shooting Star: observations by month (U.S.)
About Eastern Shooting Star
Dodecatheon meadia is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to North America. It is found in the American South, as well as the Upper Midwest, Kansas, New York, Pennsylvania and the Canadian province of Manitoba. It grows in woods and prairies and tolerates partial shade.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Eastern Shooting Star by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 936 | May | May–May |
| Wisconsin | 302 | May | May–May |
| Kentucky | 111 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Missouri | 98 | April | Apr–May |
| Tennessee | 95 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Ohio | 85 | April | Apr–May |
| Indiana | 53 | April | Apr–May |
| Arkansas | 52 | April | Apr–May |
| Pennsylvania | 46 | May | Apr–May |
| Alabama | 42 | March | Mar–Apr |
| North Carolina | 31 | April | Apr–May |
| South Carolina | 18 | March | Mar–Apr |
| Minnesota | 17 | May | May–Jun |
| Iowa | 14 | May | May–May |
| Maryland | 14 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Mississippi | 9 | April | Apr–May |
| New York | 9 | April | Apr–May |
| Oklahoma | 9 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Virginia | 6 | April | Apr–Apr |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (primrose family)
Northern Starflower
Scarlet Pimpernel
Henderson's shooting star
Fringed Loosestrife
Western Starflower
Whorled Loosestrife
Swamp Candles
Padre's Shooting Star
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Eastern Shooting Star?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is Eastern Shooting Star most often seen?
The most observations come from Illinois, Wisconsin, Kentucky.