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Native Plant Database

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Liatris squarrosa (Blazing star)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Liatris squarrosa (L.) Michx.

Blazing star, Scaly blazing star, Scaly gayfeather

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: lisq

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Scaly gayfeather or blazing star may have one or several stems, each erect, unbranched, and 10-24 in. tall. Its leaves are not as numerous as in most other Liatris species. Tuft-like, red-violet flower heads are few and openly spaced in a spike along the top of the stem.

This is one of the earliest Liatris species to bloom.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

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

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CO , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NE , OH , OK , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , WV
Native Distribution: VA & OH to e. CO, s. to FL & e. TX
Native Habitat: Dry, sandy prairie; thin woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky or sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: This is one of the earliest Liatris to bloom.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

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

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
Enchanter's Garden - Hinton, WV
Prairie Nursery - Westfield, WI

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS

Bibliography

Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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