Liatris spicata
| Liatris spicata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Eupatorieae |
| Genus: | Liatris |
| Species: | L. spicata |
| Binomial name | |
| Liatris spicata (L.) Willd. | |
Liatris spicata, the dense blazing star or prairie gay feather, is an herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the sunflower and daisy family Asteraceae. It is native to eastern North America[1] where it grows in moist prairies and sedge meadows.
Liatris spicata var. resinosa is found in the southern part of the species's natural range,[2] the variable plants have only 5 or 6 flowers per head and the heads are more widely spaced on the stems, these differences are more pronounced when the plants are found in drier and coastal habitats.[3]
Cultivation
Liatris spicata is a garden flower in many countries around the world, grown for its showy purple flowers (pink or white in some cultivars). The tall spikes of purple flowers appear in July and August. It thrives in full sun in ordinary garden soil and is excellent for attracting birds and butterflies. Under cultivation it is found under many names including button snakewort, Kansas gay feather, blazing star, Liatris callilepis.[4]
Liatris spicata 'Alba' and Liatris spicata 'Floristan White' are white-flowering cultivars.[5]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Liatris spicata. |
Medicinal Uses
Liatris spicata was used by Native Americans to treat swelling, abdominal pain, and snake bites.[6] It can also be used for a sore throat by gargling an infusion and as an insect repellent.[7]
References
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Wikiversity has bloom time data for Liatris spicata on the Bloom Clock |
- ↑ http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=LISP USDA PLANTS database
- ↑ http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250068573
- ↑ Henry A. Gleason (1963). The New Britton and Brown Illustrated Flora of the Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada: Illustrated by Original Drawings : 3 Vol. New York Botanical Garden. p. 498.
- ↑ http://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/liatris-spicata
- ↑ http://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/perliat.html
- ↑ "Western New England University's College of Pharmacy". Native Medicinal Garden. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
- ↑ "Bureau of Land Management Anasazi Heritage Center Plant Guide (Dolores, CO)" (PDF). 2013.