Ontario Wildflowers website

Starflower
Lysimachia borealis
(formerly Trientalis borealis)

Starflower (Lysimachia borealis) Other scientific names: Trientalis borealis

Family: Primrose Family (Primulaceae), (Yellow Loosestrife Family (Myrsinaceae))

Similar species:
  •   Indian Cucumber Root (Medeola virginiana) - Yellow flowers, usually more than one tier of leaves.


Flowers: Summer;  White;  7 or more parts (petals)

Leaves: Simple, Entire

Height: Up to 12 cm (5 in)

Habitat: Forests

Grows in Sun/Shade: Shade

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 386   

Native/Non-native: Native

Photography notes: The small white flowers are quite pretty and very photogenic.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: borealis: northern


Photographs: 86 photographs available, of which 6 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Starflower (Lysimachia borealis)

A Starflower flower and bud.

Starflower (Lysimachia borealis)

Starflower (Lysimachia borealis)

A nice view of the whorled leaves, and a seed pod forming.

Starflower (Lysimachia borealis)

Starflower (Lysimachia borealis)

Starflowers usualy have 1-2 flowers, each on a separate stalk.

Starflower (Lysimachia borealis)

A spent flower, towards the end of September.

Silly joke question: What would you get if you were to make flour out of the flowers? Answer: Starflower flower flour :).


Range map for Starflower (Lysimachia borealis)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)