About Lysimachia borealis (Raf.) U.Manns & Anderb.
This species, Lysimachia borealis, is commonly called starflower. Starflowers grow from creeping rhizomes, and produce vertical stalks that range from 5 to 20 cm (2.0 to 7.9 in) in height. A whorl of 5 to 10 lanceolate leaves, each up to 8 centimetres (3.1 inches) long, grows at the tip of each stalk. One to four white flowers, most often one or two, grow on smaller stalks that extend out from the center of this leaf whorl. The flowers are approximately 15 mm (1⁄2 in) across, and have five to nine petals arranged in a distinct star-like shape. The fruit produced by this species is tiny, globe-shaped, pale blue, and has a matte texture. Lysimachia borealis ranges from Canada across north-central and eastern United States. In Canada, it grows primarily in boreal forest, while in the United States it is primarily found in northern conifer-hardwood forests. It occurs in temperate climates, and is counted among the ten most common native herbaceous-layer plants in eastern deciduous U.S. National Park forests. A related taxon, Lysimachia latifolia (Pacific starflower), is a pinkish-purple variety native to the west coast of the United States and parts of western Canada.
