Liatris tenuifolia Nutt.

Shortleaf Blazing Star; Shortleaf Gayfeather

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Thread-leaf Gayfeather is a native perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is native primarily to the southern half of Alabama. Thread-leaf Gayfeather grows in longleaf pine savannahs, in xeric scrub oak woods, in sand hills, on dunes, and on roadsides. It is a perennial from a crom. Stems are glabrous, 3-5 feet in height, and unbranched (unless damaged). The leaves are linear, glabrous, and gland dotted. The leaves are basal and cauline. The basal leaves are much larger than the cauline leaves, which are often appressed to the stem. Flowers are produced in heads containing 4-6 purple flowers. The heads are arranged in terminal racemes. The heads are subtended by phyllaries that are rounded and have a pinkish margin. The fruit is an achene with a tuft of barbellate bristles. Thread-leaf Gayfeather is sometimes available from wildflower companies as seed. The seed can be started in pots or flats and then transplanted to areas in the garden with full soil in well-draining, sandy soil. Plants will flower in the second year from seed.--A. Diamond

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Native

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