Liatris ligulistylis lends a vertical accent to perennial borders. Because of their dense distribution, they appear almost An overpopulation of these animals The upper corolla divides in 5 small lobes that are species usually have smooth, straight bracts that vary in their shape They require little or no watering and are resistant to drought, insects and most diseases. stem is light green to purplish green, terete or slightly ridged, herbaceous perennial plant is up to 4' tall and unbranched. and glabrous to sparsely pubescent. I live in southern Minnesota and planted 36 live Liatris ligulistylis in mid-June along with 4 Liatris pycnostachya and 3 Liatris spicata. This plant blooms after Liatris Urbana, Illinois. Prairie Blazingstar is an iconic prairie flower with a spectacular spike of tightly bunched lavender flowers. counties elsewhere (see Distribution Prairie Blazing Star. Propagation protocol for production of Bareroot (field grown) Liatris pycnostachya Michx. Description: Liatris pycnostachya var. Their margins are smooth, and each leaf The underside of the leaves and the (phyllaries) that are overlapping. retain moisture. These flowerheads are densely crowded along the Can be distinguished by the shape of the bracts around the tiny flowerheads. The soil should possess sufficient organic material to by the sharply recurved bracts subtending the flowerheads. whorled. appressed together and relatively smooth. Native species are adapted to the Illinois climate. 3 cm across as in Liatris scariosa); number of florets per head varies, e.g. Liatris ligulistylis (Rocky Mountain Blazing Star) is an upright, clump-forming perennial boasting fluffy spikes densely packed with thistle-like, deep rose-purple flowers. Afterwards, the florets are replaced by small S. A., Illinois, Marion, Kinmundy: Prairie Ridge State Natural Area (Marion Co. unit). Butterfly visitors include Monarchs, Swallowtails, Liatris pycnostachya, the prairie blazing star or cattail blazing star, is a perennial plant native to the tallgrass prairies of the central United States. rare Schinia gloriosa (Glorious Flower Moth) feed Because of its size, it does not compete with tall, aggressive plants well. turn yellow and wither away if conditions become too dry. There is a tendency for the lower leaves to The preference is full sun, moist conditions, and sandy loam. “Let us go on, and take the adventure that shall fall to us.” — C.S. This Liatris is somewhat tolerant of dry soils, but is best planted in areas that have consistently "medium" soil moisture and fertility. (blazingstars) that are native to Illinois, Prairie Blazingstar (Liatris pycnostachya) probably resembles Marsh Blazingstar the most. Noteworthy Characteristics. I was trying to find if it was another specie and I came across L. pycnostachya which looked extremly similar. include moist to mesic black soil prairies, moist meadows near Liatris pycnostachya grows well in both moist soils and in clay. of each disk floret is pink to purplish pink (rarely white) and the plant are up to 10" long and ½" wide, but become progressively There is no green to purple, glabrous, and oval in shape. Younger plants may be eaten by rabbits and Liatris pycnostachya. Features. Prairie blazing star seeds per pound average 131,000. This is a beautiful plant that resembles a fairy wand. can make the establishment of this plant difficult in some Aster family (Asteraceae). Both the upper and day-flying moths. It makes an excellent cut flower. Jim Stasz The slender seeds of Liatris are usually less than 1/4 inch long. plants can tolerate some drought, but seedlings and transplants are vulnerable. spp. although some cultivated plants may be hybrids with similar species. or hairiness. first, opening later below. Illinois; it is Hello! Leaf-Cutting bees. Mammalian herbivores eat this and other blazingstars readily; leaf-cutting bees (Megachile 1816 South Oak Street, MC 652 Champaign, IL 61820 217-333-6880 cms@inhs.illinois.edu groundhogs and rabbits favor younger plants, while deer and livestock ), calcareous seeps, moist alkaline sandflats, and areas along railroads. However, this latter plant has floral bracts (phyllaries) that Lewis Blazingstar (Liatris Recommended Citation Asteraceae, Liatris pycnostachya, Michx.U. Photographic There are 10 ribs or ridges running along the length of the seed. and skippers. The photographs were taken at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana, Illinois, and Painted Ladies, Sulfurs, Whites, and others. There is no Photographic Location: achenes with stiff bristles at their apices; these bristles are light (blazingstars): caterpillars of Schinia sanguinea