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Liatris spicata (L.) Willd.

Gay feather, blazing star, dense blazing star

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderAsteralesFlowering plants with a central disk flower and surrounding petals, like daisies
FamilyAsteraceaeThe aster family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers; from the Greek ἀστήρ, “star,” for the star-shaped flowers
GenusLiatrisA very old name, meaning lost
Speciesspicata“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

Liatris spicata (gay feather, blazing star, dense blazing star)

7/29/2023 · By Jacquelyn Boyt

Liatris spicata (gay feather, blazing star, dense blazing star)

8/17/2014 · Bald Mountain, Franconia Notch Area, White Mountains, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 6 × 8″ (14 × 20 cm)

Liatris spicata (gay feather, blazing star, dense blazing star)

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.

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Liatris spicata (gay feather, blazing star, dense blazing star)

8/17/2014 · Bald Mountain, Franconia Notch Area, White Mountains, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 6 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm)

Liatris spicata (gay feather, blazing star, dense blazing star)

8/12/2017 · Bates Land and Blackman Land, Groton Conservation Trust, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 4 × 6″ (11 × 16 cm)

Range: Zones 3-9:

About this map...