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Writer's pictureRichard Stoll

In Nature: Prairie Blazing Star

By Richard Stoll with Oak Heritage Conservancy

(SOUTHEAST INDIANA) -- Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya) is a gorgeous native perennial wildflower and a standout in any tall grass prairie, pollinator garden or as a standalone addition to your flower garden.


It has a hairy, unbranched stalk and a spike of many densely crowded rose-purple flowerheads. Stamens and styles protrude from the purple, tufted flower heads, creating a fuzzy appearance.


Flowers bloom from the top of the spike downward. The lower portion of the stem is covered with short, fuzzy, grass-like leaves. The leaves are narrow, alternate and sometimes appear whorled.


It blooms from July-October and reaches a mature height of about 4’ tall and thrives in full sun to partial shade and will do well in poor soil such as clay. The rootstock is a globe-shaped corms which can form offshoots from the mother plant over time. Prairie Blazing Star is a great cut flower and holds its color well in dried flower arrangements.


Prairie Blazing Star is a host plant to several moth larvae, including 2 specialist moths and wavy-lined emerald, three-lined flower, glorious flower and sunflower moths. 


Butterfly visitors include monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies, sulfurs, and whites. Small mammals and deer sometimes eat the plant, which will likely regenerate from the corms. This perennial beauty is primarily pollinated by long-tongued bees such as bumble, honey, little carpenter, miner, and large leafcutter bees. Goldfinches and hummingbirds are a favorite of all summer long.


Native Americans ground the roots and used them as a pain reliever for headache, arthritis, and earaches. The roots were also used to treat fevers, and the leaves were used for upset stomachs and as an antiseptic wash. So if you want another vibrant showy wildflower in your native planting, consider adding Prairie Blazing Star to the seed mix. 


Richard Stoll is a Board member with Oak Heritage Conservancy. For more information about Oak Heritage, follow us on Facebook or visit: OakHeritageConservancy.org 

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