Liatris scariosa

This species of blazing star is an upright, clump-forming perennial that typically grows to 2-4 tall in the wild. It is native from Maine to Wisconsin south to Mississippi and Georgia. In Missouri, it is uncommonly found in rocky woods, rocky slopes, prairies, and gravel areas along streams (Steyermark). Fluffy, thistle-like, reddish-purple flower heads (to 1î across) bloom in late summer to early fall on terminal columnar inflorescences (to 18î long) atop erect, leafy flower stems. Inflorescences are of the button type (individual flower heads are spaced along the stem on short stalks). Inf... more »

This species of blazing star is an upright, clump-forming perennial that typically grows to 2-4 tall in the wild. It is native from Maine to Wisconsin south to Mississippi and Georgia. In Missouri, it is uncommonly found in rocky woods, rocky slopes, prairies, and gravel areas along streams (Steyermark). Fluffy, thistle-like, reddish-purple flower heads (to 1î across) bloom in late summer to early fall on terminal columnar inflorescences (to 18î long) atop erect, leafy flower stems. Inflorescences are of the button type (individual flower heads are spaced along the stem on short stalks). Inflorescences bloom from top to bottom. Flowering stems rise up from basal tufts of rough, narrow, ovate to lanceolate, green leaves (to 10î long). Stem leaves (to 3î long) are much smaller. Liatris belongs to the aster family, with each flower head having only fluffy disk flowers (resembling ìblazing starsî) and no ray flowers. The feathery flower heads of liatris give rise to another common name of gayfeather. Flowers are very attractive to butterflies. (less)