Lysimachia europaea
Arctic starflower
Northern Europe and Asia (boreal/subarctic)
Overview
Lysimachia europaea, formerly placed in the genus Trientalis spp., is a slender rhizomatous perennial of the primrose family, reaching 2–10 inches (5–25 cm) tall. A single erect stem carries one whorl of 5 to 9 thin, obovate to lance-shaped leaves 0.8–3 inches (2–8 cm) long near its summit, with a few much smaller leaves scattered below. From late spring into early summer the plant produces one to three white, star-shaped flowers held on thread-like stalks above the leaf whorl; each flower is 0.4–0.7 inch (10–18 mm) across and usually has 6 to 8 narrow, pointed petals, a count higher than the 5 typical of the primrose family. It spreads by slender white rhizomes that root at intervals to form loose colonies in the leaf litter. The species grows in cool, moist, acidic woodland, coniferous forest floor, heath, and tundra across northern latitudes, favoring humus-rich soils and dappled to deep shade. It dies back to the rhizome each autumn and is intolerant of drought, lime, and hot summer conditions, which restricts it to cool-climate woodland gardens.
Native Range
Lysimachia europaea is native across the cool and boreal zones of northern Europe and Asia, from Britain and Scandinavia east through Russia to Japan, and north into the subarctic. It grows on the floor of coniferous and mixed woodland, on heaths, and in tundra, on moist acidic soils.Suggested Uses
Used as a ground-covering perennial in shaded woodland gardens, peat beds, and the cool, moist edges of conifer plantings. Suited to naturalistic plantings on acidic soil.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 10"
Width/Spread6" - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Flowers appear from May to July, depending on latitude and altitude, with northern and montane populations blooming later. Each stem bears one to three flowers over a period of two to three weeks. Fruiting capsules follow, splitting to release small seeds.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight