Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera)

Distinguishing Characteristics

Basal leaves are short-stalked and up to 16 inches long and 2 inches wide, with short hairs on upper and lower leaf surfaces and along the leaf margin. Bracts rounded, somewhat spreading.

Height

2 to 3 feet

Blooms

August to November

Description

Heads, 3/4 – 1 inch wide, have 16 – 35 tiny flowers. Unbranched stalks. Bracts rounded, somewhat spreading. Button-sized clusters of flowers are spread along the upper third of the flowering spike.

Comments

Common throughout the tallgrass prairie region on dry prairies, glades, and
savannas. Occasionally used in native forbs seed mixes, especially for custom mixes for drier soils. May take several years to bloom from seed, and plants may not bloom every year. An excellent nectar source for insects.