Dense Blazing Star, Marsh Gayfeather, Spike Gayfeather - Liatris spicata
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Liatris spicata - Dense Blazing Star, Marsh Gayfeather, Spike Gayfeather. Liatris spicata is found in most of the eastern half of the United States, primarily east of the Mississippi River. The populations that are found west of the Mississippi are likely the result of naturalization from garden escapees. There are two varieties: var. resinosa and var. spicata. Var. resinosa is found in the coastal plains of the southeast, and is differentiated primarily by narrower leaves than in var. spicata, and more abrupt change from relatively wider leaves in the lower have of the stem to nearly linear, bractlike leaves in the upper stem.
Most likely to be found flowering in July thru September, it is found in a variety of habitats where it can receive full sun or perhaps a bit of shade. It is tolerant of a range of soil and moisture conditions, but probably most commonly seen on road margins. It is a good addition to native plant gardens.
Found in:
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WI, WV
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Distribution of Liatris spicata in the United States and Canada:
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
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| | Site: Cloudland Canyon State Park, Dade County, GA Date: 2013-July-16 | Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro | | The flowers of Liatris spicata are usually sessile within the spiked inflorescence, although they may have a very short peduncle. There may be as few as 4 or as many as 12 rose-purple (sometimes white) disc florets in the individual blossom, with 5 to 8 being most common. In my research I haven't been able to find what the elongated appendages are arising from the florets, but my guess it is the style. Multiply two of these times the many blossoms in the inflorescence and you get a feathery impression from the bloom, yielding the Gayfeather common name. | | 
| | Site: Cloudland Canyon State Park, Dade County, GA Date: 2013-July-16 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | The inflorescence is a long spike, blooming from the top down. The plant on the left in this photo started blooming before the plant on the right. The reduced upper cauline leaves continue into the lower part of the inflorescence. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Cloudland Canyon State Park, Dade County, GA Date: 2013-July-16 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | You can find large colonies of Liatris spicata blooming urually in July through September in a variety of sunny habitats, although the plant can tolerate some shade. They grow up to 6 feet tall, although 3 to 4 feet is more the norm. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
| | Site: Cloudland Canyon State Park, Dade County, GA Date: 2013-July-16 | Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000 | | Both the basal and the alternating stem leaves of Dense Blazing Star are long and narrow, increasing significantly up the stem - quite suddenly about halfway up the stem in var. resinosa. | | Click on the photo for a larger image
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References used for identification and information:
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