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eastern bluestar
Scientific Name: Amsonia tabernaemontana
Family: Apocynaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Amsonia tabernaemontana: Eastern Bluestar
Amsonia tabernaemontana, commonly known as Eastern Bluestar, is a hardy perennial celebrated for its elegant pale blue, star-shaped flowers. It's a popular choice for gardens due to its attractive foliage and ease of cultivation.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant is also known as Blue Dogbane, indicating a historical association within the dogbane family.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Amsonia tabernaemontana Walter
- Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane family)
- Common Names: Eastern Bluestar, Woodland Blue Star, Willow Amsonia, Blue Dogbane, Bluestar
- Varieties:
- Amsonia tabernaemontana var. tabernaemontana
- Amsonia tabernaemontana var. salicifolia
- Synonyms: Rhazya (Note: This may refer to an older classification or related species).
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the southern and southeastern United States, extending into northern Mexico.
- Its natural range does not reach New England.
- Commonly found in moist slope forests and floodplain forests in the southern U.S., from Texas to Illinois to Virginia.
Morphology and Growth Habits
- Erect-stemmed perennial that forms large clumps.
- Typically grows to a height of 1 to 4 feet and can form a mound up to 4 feet in diameter.
- Stems are smooth and leafy.
- Leaves are elongated, lance-shaped, light green, and can be elliptic to lance-shaped with a matt, dark green appearance in the salicifolia variety. The leaves are described as willow-like.
- Flowers are pale blue, star-shaped, and appear in starry clusters from spring to midsummer (June to July).
- Deciduous foliage that turns golden-yellow in the fall.
Quirky Facts
- Despite its elegant appearance, Amsonia tabernaemontana is considered easy to grow.
- It's sometimes mistaken for garden phlox due to its willow-like leaves and clustered blooms.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Attracts interest from those trading seeds or plant divisions.
Further Information
- RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
- Discover Life: Provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution.
- Encyclopedia of Life: Offers articles and information about Amsonia tabernaemontana.
- USDA-Plants Database
- Toadshade Wildflower Farm: A mail-order nursery specializing in native plants, including Amsonia tabernaemontana.
- iNaturalist: Provides classification details and observer information.