Scaly Blazing Star
(Liatris squarrosa)
Scaly Blazing Star (Liatris squarrosa)
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Lauren McLaurin
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Lauren McLaurin
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Lauren McLaurin | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Lauren McLaurin | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-06-27T18:03:20-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Liatris squarrosa, commonly known as Scaly Blazing Star, is a deciduous perennial herb native to open woodlands, moist prairies, and meadows in the Eastern USA. It typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) and a width of 0.5-1 feet (0.2-0.3 meters). The plant features a tufted, upright habit with grass-like foliage and distinctive flower spikes. The blooms are composed of tightly clustered, scaly bracts with tufts of purple flowers that appear in the summer and fall, providing a showy display that attracts butterflies and other pollinators.
Scaly Blazing Star is valued for its vertical accent in garden design and its ability to thrive in poor soils. It is often used in wildflower gardens, borders, and naturalized areas. This plant prefers full sun and can tolerate drought conditions once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. It is adaptable to a variety of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot in overly wet conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Scaly Blazing Star is valued for its vertical accent in garden design and its ability to thrive in poor soils. It is often used in wildflower gardens, borders, and naturalized areas. This plant prefers full sun and can tolerate drought conditions once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping. It is adaptable to a variety of soil types, provided they have good drainage. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot in overly wet conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Width: 0.5-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands, moist prairies, and meadows
Other Names
Common Names: Loosescale Gayfeather, Colicroot, Scaly Gayfeather
Scientific Names: , Liatris squarrosa, Liatris squarrosa var. alabamensis, Liatris squarrosa var. gracilenta, Lacinaria squarrosa, Serratula squarrosa, Lacinaria squarrosa var. alabamensis, Liatris squarrosa f. alba, Liatris squarrosa var. floribunda, Liatris glabrata subsp. alabamensis
GBIF Accepted Name: Liatris squarrosa (L.) Michx.