CROATIAN FLORA 2008 - ENDEMIC PLANTS - STARFLOWER

Starflower (Onosma stellulata Waldst. et Kit) order: Lamiales family: Boraginaceae local, popular names: starflower, golden drop - all other names refer to the star-like shape and the sharp hairs. English name: Starflower, Golden drop German name: Gelber Lotwurz French name: Borraginées The Starflower is one of the seven genera Onosma in the Croatian flora. The word “oštrolist” [sharp bristle] in the Croatian name refers to the sharp characteristics of the leaf; it originates from the great number of the sharp bristles that entirely cover the representatives of the plant; touching the leaves produces a sensation of prickliness, scraping, i.e. sharpness. The starflower is a perennial that often grows in the form of small, thinly scattered shrubs. It has a wooden stalk 10 to 25 cm in height and most often several blooming shoots. It is covered by many star-like hairs that are the origin of its popular folk name as well as its scientific name (Lat. stellulatus: star-like). The leaves are elongated, spade-like, long up to 14 cm. The flowers develop on the short flowering stalks, in the cone of the floral leaves. The petals are grown together in the entire length, forming bell-shaped, hanging flowers, mild yellow to expressive yellow colour, up to 30 mm long. The plant blossoms in June and July, depending on the height above sea level where it grows. It is pollinated by insects and after successful pollination there develop two smooth and shining nutlets. The starflower grows on stony, sunny hills, particularly on higher mountain and sub-mountain regions. It also grows in extremely unfavourable conditions like in recessed grooves, steep slopes covered with unstable stones, where the number of well-adapted plants is very low. When we refer to the spread of the starflower it is important to mention that it is an endemic and relatively rare species strictly protected by law.