Spike Gayfeather
Liatris spicata
Asteraceae
Other names
Button Snakewort, Dense Blazing Star
Growth habit
Herbaceous
Perennation
Long-lived polycarpic perennial
Native distribution
E North America
Biocultural value
Cherokees relieved stomach aches by drinking a tea made from the roots.
Location
Houston and Grossman Ponds, Bioswale Garden, Robison Herb Garden
Source of plant
North Creek Nurseries, Richters, Plant Collections Consortium, KY
Description
To 1.5m tall. Stems stiff, glabrous, rarely hirsute. Leaves to 40x2cm, linear-lanceolate or linear. Capitula clustered in a dense spike, to 70cm, sessile or pedunculate, to 1.5cm; phyllaries adpressed elliptic-oblong, glabrous, margin scarious, purple-tinged at anthesis; florets red-purple. Fruits to 6mm; pappus to 7mm.
USDA Hardiness Zone
3
Special characteristics
medicinal/pharmaceutical