Blazing Star
Liatris spicata

Blazing star is a native perennial plant with clumps of feathery purple or white flowers that bloom in summer.

This section shows one large critter image at a time. Use the thumbnails that follow to select a specific image to display here.

The feathery purple flowers of a blazing star grow on a long stalk that stands straight up in a lush, green garden.
Blazing star blooms at Kiwanis Park in Hagerstown, Md., on Aug. 2, 2021. (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program)

This gallery contains a grid of small thumbnails. Selecting a thumbnail will change the main image in the preceding section.

Appearance

The blazing star has clumps of feathery purple or white flowers on long stalks that bloom in summer, usually in July to August. The flowers bloom from top to bottom along the stalks. It has grass-like leaves. The plant grows 2 to 4 feet tall.

Reproduction and life cycle

After blooming, flowers mature into seed heads. Wind, animals and other natural disturbances spread the seeds in autumn. Underground bulbs/tubers can be divided to form new plants.

Did you know?

  • The blazing star is also known as gayfeather because of its feathery flowers.
  • Its flowers attract honeybees, songbirds and butterflies.

Sources and additional information

Tags: