Named after their appearance, and it is not hard to see why. The way their petals curl back makes them look like they are going someplace in a hurry. These bloom early in the spring, often before other plants get going. There are many very similar species, this is Foothill Shooting Star   Dodecatheon hendersonii   (Primrose family)   which grows at low elevations and can start blooming in February. Delightful!