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Native Plant Database

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Liatris cylindracea (Ontario blazing star)
Smith, R.W.

Liatris cylindracea Michx.

Ontario blazing star, Ontario gayfeather, Dwarf blazing star

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: LICY

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

An 8-24 in., stout, erect perennial with rough, linear leaves and a long raceme composed of up to 150 magenta-purple flowerheads.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Aug

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , DE , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MI , MN , MO , NY , OH , TN , WI
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: W. NY to OH & s.e MN, s. to AL & AR
Native Habitat: Prairies; dry, open places
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, limey soils.
Conditions Comments: Volunteer seedlings can be abundant.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Scarified seeds may be sown outside in late fall or stored, stratified and sown the following spring. Some sources suggest spring seedlings will appear by simply laying the flowering stalk in an outdoor seedbed and covering with 1/2 in. of soil in the fa
Seed Collection: Wait until the flower heads on the entire stalk have turned fluffy tan before collecting. Bring the stalks inside to air-dry then shake or brush the nutlets from the heads. Seeds can be stored with chaff in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Scarification (lightly nick with knife) and dry stratification (3 months at 40 degrees).
Commercially Avail: yes
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Liatris cylindracea in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Liatris cylindracea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Liatris cylindracea

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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