Plant · GBIF taxon 3104293
prairie blazing star
Liatris pycnostachyaAlso known as Prairie Gayfeather
Prairie blazing star sends a dense wand of purple flower heads above narrow leaves on an upright stem. The flower spike opens from the top downward, offering nectar and pollen during the warm season.
Prairie WildflowerPurple SpikePollinator Plant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic; a cormlike underground stem stores resources between growing seasons
Predators
- Voles
- Deer
- Leaf-feeding insects
ThreatsPrairie conversion, fire suppression, invasive plants, herbicides, and poorly timed mowing
HabitatsTallgrass prairie, moist meadow, open savanna, roadsides, and restored grassland
Life spanLong-lived perennial that can return from its underground stem for many years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAsteraceae
- SpeciesLiatris pycnostachya
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Leave flower spikes and underground stems intact in wild prairie remnants.
Responsible observation
- Identify: Notice dense purple heads opening from the spike tip downward.
- Watch: Observe butterflies and long-tongued bees from the trail edge.
- Protect: Avoid trampling surrounding grasses or collecting flower stems.
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