Tall Blazing Star

(Liatris pycnostachya)

Aster Family

A perennial of moist prairies with unbranched stems growing up to 5 feet tall. The lowest leaves can be over 1 foot long and ½ inch wide with the leaves becoming progressively smaller up the stem. The stems end in a long spike of about ¼ inch wide purple flower heads, each with fewer than 8 flowers. The bracts at the base of the flower heads are pointed and the tips curve outward.