SCIENTIFIC NAME: Liatris spicata
COMMON NAME: Dense Blazing Star, Blazing Star, Blazing Stars, Dense Button Snakeroot, Gayfeather, Marsh Blazing Star, Sessile-headed Blazing Star, Snakeroot, Spike Gayfeather
BLOOM TIME: July, Aug, Sept
PLANT PROFILE:
- 2-5 ft. tall & unbranched.
- Dense purple flowers make it look like a spiked magic wand.
- Common plant to grow in flower gardens & not seen often in the wild.
- Often used in flower arrangements
- Habitat: full sun and moist conditions.
INSECT/ANIMAL INTERACTIONS:
- The flowerheads are cross-pollinated by bumblebees, long-horned bees, leaf-cutting bees, butterflies, and skippers.
- Insects suck nectar, although some of the bees also collect pollen for their larvae.
- Two uncommon prairie insects feast; Liatris Flower Moth caterpillar feeds on the florets & developing seeds, while Liatris Borer Moth larvae bores through the stems.
- Groundhogs and rabbits favor younger plants.
- Deer and livestock are more likely to browse on mature plants.
- Corms are eaten by Prairie Vole & Meadow Vole. An overpopulation of these animals can make the establishment of this plant difficult in some areas.