Slender gayfeather, Blazing star
Liatris gracilis
Asteraceae


Landscape Uses:

Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also wildflower and butterfly gardens.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Native plant nurseries.
Description:
Medium herbaceous wildflower.
Height:
About 2-3 inches in height; to 3 feet when in flower. Usually taller than broad, but falling over and forming open patches.
Growth Rate:
Moderate.
Range:
Southeastern United States south to the Monroe County Keys, where known only from Big Pine Key.
Habitats:
Pinelands.
Soils:
Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun.
Flower Color:
Rose purplish.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Summer-fall.
Fruit:
Inconspicuous achene.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Nectar plant for butterflies. Attracts native bees and other beneficial insects. Valuable source of insects for birds.
Horticultural Notes:
Can be grown from seed.
Comments:


Susan Trammell
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton
Susan Lerner, cultivated at Pan's Garden, Town of Palm Beach, Florida, USA.