Gayfeather plant
Liatris spicata
Marsh blazing star, in the Asteraceae (daisy or aster) family, is a clump-forming perennial that typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall. It is native to the eastern United States and is most often found in moist areas or growing in meadows. In NC it is found in the coastal and Piedmont areas. The tall spikes of flowers bloom from the top down, are showy and attract pollinators. The foliage is grass-like and grows in clumps.
This low-maintenance plant prefers average to moist, well-drained soils that range from acidic to neutral in pH. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and also tolerates summer heat and humidity. This particular species does better in moist soils than some other blazing stars. The plant has corms with shallow fibrous roots and can form new colonies from its corms, though it most often propagates by seed. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back deceased stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their control. Read more about best practices
Marcus, Joseph A.
Liatris punctata var. mucronata
Liatris punctata Hook. var. mucronata (DC.) B.L. Turner
Texas Gayfeather, Texas Blazing Star, Texas Liatris, Cusp Liatris, Cusp Blazing Star, Cusp Gayfeather, Narrow-leaf Blazing Star, Narrow-leaf Gayfeather, Purples
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Liatris mucronata
USDA Symbol: LIPUM2
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
This perennial�s stiff, upright, unbranched stems, ft. tall, grow in wide-spreading clumps. The tufted, purple flowers are densely congested in a extended spike on the upper part of the stem. The leaves are tight and crowded, becoming progressively smaller upward.
Liatris species attract butterflies.
Plant Characteristics
Duration:PerennialHabit:Herb
Leaf Retention:Deciduous
Size Notes: One to three feet in height.
Fruit:Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , PurpleBloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Distribution
USA: AR , KS , MO , OK , TXNati
Brundage, Stephanie
Liatris spicata
Liatris spicata (L.) Willd.
Dense Blazing Star, Dense Gayfeather, Dense Liatris, Marsh Blazing Star, Marsh Gayfeather, Marsh Liatris
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: lisp
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN (N)
Dense gayfeather or marsh blazing star is an erect, slender perennial reaching a height of ft. The linear, grass-like leaves are clumped toward the base of the plant, but extend up the stem to the showy blossom cluster. A high spike of rayless, rose-purple (sometimes white), closely set plant heads. The purple, tufted flower heads are arranged in a long, dense spike blooming from the top down.
The species name describes the elongated inflorescence, with its crowded, stalkless flower heads. The protruding styles provide the flower an overall feathery appearance, hence its alternate name, Dense Gayfeather.
Plant Characteristics
Duration:PerennialHabit:Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet statuesque .
Leaf: Green
Fruit:Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is
Pictured above: A Palamedes swallowtail nectars on Dense gayfeather (Liatris spicata). Photo by Jeff Norcini. Click on terms for botanical definitions. View post as a PDF.
Known also as Dense blazing star, Marsh blazing star and Spiked blazing star, Dense gayfeather is an erect herbaceous perennial with striking spikes of purple flowers. It occurs naturally in mesic to moist flatwoods, seepage slopes, bogs, savannas and roadside ditches. It blooms in sdelayed summer through drop and is an excellent attractor of butterflies, bees and other beneficial insects.
Dense gayfeather begins as a basalrosette of linear, grasslike leaves. Flower stalks and buds appear in summer. Once all the buds include formed, the blooms open from the top of the flower stalk down. Flowering spikes are slender, elongated (up to 2 feet long) and, as the common call suggests, dense with flowers. Individual flowers are tubular, rayless and without pedicels. Styles are extended and often slightly twisted. Stems are smooth and unbranched. Stem leaves are linear and alternately arranged. Fruits are tiny, inconspicuous