Liatris spicata (L.) Willd.
Gay feather, blazing star, dense blazing star
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass Asteridae A large class that encompasses asters
Order Asterales Flowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
Family Asteraceae The aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
Genus Liatris A very old name, meaning lost
Species spicata “Spiked”
About plant names...
Dense blazing star is named for its tall spikes of pink-purple flowers. It is a member of
the aster family.
Identification: Plants are 2-4′ (60-121 cm) high. Leaves are
narrow, grass-like, more dense near the bottom of the plant, up to 12″ (30 cm) long and
¾″ (2 cm) wide. The striking flower spikes are up to 12″ (30 cm) tall. Petals are
threadlike tubes, each pointed randomly. Flowerheads look a little similar to purple loosestrife
from a distance, but up close, flower spikes and leaves are very different.
Online References:
Missouriplants.com
Illinois Wildflowers
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The Missouri Botanical Garden
Plants.ces.ncsu.edu
7/29/2023 · By Jacquelyn Boyt
8/17/2014 · Bald Mountain, Franconia Notch Area, White Mountains, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 8″ (14 × 20 cm)
8/17/2014 · Bald Mountain, Franconia Notch Area, White Mountains, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm)
Liatris spicata description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
8/17/2014 · Bald Mountain, Franconia Notch Area, White Mountains, New Hampshire · ≈ 6 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm)
8/12/2017 · Bates Land and Blackman Land, Groton Conservation Trust, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (11 × 16 cm)
Range: Zones 3-9:
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