Liatris pilosa (Ait.) Willd. - Shaggy Blazing-star
Family - Asteraceae
Stems:
Base of plant.
Leaves:
Inflorescence:
N/A
Involucre:
Ray flowers:
Absent.
Disk flowers:
Pappus and achenes.
Flowering - July - October.
Habitat - Flatwoods, open hammocks, sandhills, open woods.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This showy species can be found scattered throughout much of Alabama but seems to be concentrated in the east-central portion of the state. The plant can be identified by its thin leaves, which gradually reduce up the stem, its sessile to sub-sessile flowerheads, and it big, pink corollas (which are pilose internally at the base).
Many species of Liatris are difficult to differentiate from one-another and L. pilosa is no exception. Plants which have been browsed by animals can branch and have a completely different look than shown above. Consult a good key to be sure what species you have.
The genus name Liatris is of unknown derivation.
The species epithet pilosa derives from the Latin "pilos" meaning "hairy" and refers to the hairs inside the corolla tube.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken at Fort Benning, GA., 10-1-05.