Our woods are getting darker as the deciduous tree leaves fill in the canopy spaces between the spruce and balsam fir treetops. The stars of Starflower plants (Trientalis borealis Raf.) are now rising to light these late May shadows. They’re mostly white and tiny, about ¼- to ½- inch in diameter on slight stalks that usually are less than 2 inches long.
Yesterday, we saw this flowering Starflower plant with some others that had recently offered up flowers. Soon, the shadowed woods floor will become a vernal galaxy of their stars. By mid-summer, the stars will have accomplished their purpose of attracting pollinators and become shooting stars that wilt and disappear. Only the herbs' leaves and flowers’ stalks will remain for a while, then also disappear before the frost. (Brooklin, Maine)