Bloomipedia
Henderson's shooting star (Primula hendersonii)
Photo: Anne Parsons via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized

Flower profile

Henderson's shooting star

Primula hendersonii

Native to California

Henderson's shooting star is a flowering plant. In California it's most often seen in bloom in February–April.

–states
11,486CA sightings*
13,021U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: California

Quick look

Primula hendersonii is a species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae, native to western North America, from California north to southern British Columbia and Idaho. Common names include broad-leaved shooting star, Henderson's shooting star, mosquito bills, and sailor caps.

  • It belongs to the Primulaceae family. iNaturalist
  • NatureServe lists it as native to California. NatureServe
  • In California, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in February–April. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 11,486 research-grade sightings of it in California, ranking #79 among the 110 flowers on our California list. iNaturalist

Henderson's shooting star gift ideas

Handmade henderson's shooting star gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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    Henderson's shooting star art print

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    Henderson's shooting star greeting card

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    Henderson's shooting star mug

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    Henderson's shooting star earrings

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    Henderson's shooting star embroidery pattern

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    Henderson's shooting star sticker

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When does it bloom?

In California, most flowering sightings come in February–April.

Flowering records by month in California (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (3,421 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
California
Not listed Not on California state-listed endangered, threatened and rare plants (14 CCR § 670.2), per CDFW's CNDDB list (July 2026). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in California. CNDDB listed plants (July 2026)
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant)) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list. For context only: ASPCA lists a related species, Primula vulgaris (“Primrose”), as toxic to dogs and cats. That doesn't tell us about this species, so keep pets away to be safe. ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS has no state-by-state distribution for this name, so we can't map it yet.

More California flowers

Scarlet pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis)

Scarlet pimpernel

Lysimachia arvensis

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in CA: March–June
Western starflower (Lysimachia latifolia)

Western starflower

Lysimachia latifolia

Native

🌼 Blooms in CA: April–June
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

California poppy

Eschscholzia californica

★ CA state flowerNative

🌼 Blooms in CA: February–July

Sources