Henderson's Shooting Star (Primula hendersonii)
Aliases: Mosquito Bills, Foothill Shooting Star, Sailor Caps, Broad-Leaved Shooting Star
Formerly Known As: Dodecatheon hendersonii
Family: Primrose (Primulaceae)
Several varieties of Shooting Star grow in the Yosemite area, and they all look essentially alike. One way to separate Henderson's Shooting Star from the pack is by when and where it grows: none of the other Primulas bloom before May or grow below 3,500 feet, so if the one you're looking at is blooming early and/or in the foothills, you've almost certainly found Primula hendersonii.
Blooms: February - May
Lifespan: Perennial
Origins: Native (see distribution maps for California and US/Canada)
Primula hendersonii etymology: Primula derives from the Latin term for "first", in reference to the genus's tendency to bloom early.[1] Hendersonii honors Louis Forniquet Henderson (1853 - 1942), who was, among other things, the first ever botany professor at the University of Idaho.
This Photo: On the Hite Cove trail, mid March
Other Resources: CalFlora · CalPhotos · USDA · eFloras.org
