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Dotted Blazing Star Wikimedia Commons
Asteraceae

Dotted Blazing Star

Liatris punctata

Blazing determination.

Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Liatris
Native to
Central North America
Bloom season
Late Summer, Fall
Type
Herbaceous perennial
Height
0.3-0.6 meters
Sunlight
Full sun
Soil
Sandy, rocky, well-drained
Water
Low
Hardiness
3-9
Lifespan
Perennial

Did you know

  • Dotted blazing star blooms from the top of the spike downward, unusual among flower spikes.
  • Its deep taproot can extend over 4 meters into the ground, making it extremely drought-tolerant.
  • It is a critical nectar source for migrating monarch butterflies in the Great Plains.
  • Native Americans used the corms as food and medicine for kidney and bladder ailments.
  • The leaves have resinous dots visible with a hand lens, giving the species its 'punctata' name.

Color meanings

0

Gaiety

1

Determination

2

Joy

Uses

  • Prairie restoration
  • Butterfly gardens
  • Xeriscaping
  • Cut flowers