Liatris aspera (known as rough blazing star, button blazing star, lacerate blazing star, tall prairie blazing star, or tall gayfeather ) is a perennial wildflower in the Asteraceae family that is found in central to eastern North America in habitats that range from mesic to dry prairie and dry savanna.

Description

Liatris aspera is a perennial herb that grows as a single, erect, unbranched stem 30 to 180 cm high. Leaves are numerous on the stem, alternate, and narrowly lanceolate with the lower leaves larger, up to 38 cm long and 1 in wide, becoming smaller and narrower higher on the plant. The inflorescence is an erect raceme with numerous, purple, button-like flower heads, short-stalked or stalkless, blooming from the top down. It flowers from mid-August through October, with seed becoming ripe in October to November.

Distribution and habitat

This plant is native to the United States from Texas to the west and New York to the east. It is also native to Ontario in Canada. It grows in prairies, glades, and savannas, and along roadsides and railroads.

Ecology

It attracts birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies.