Flower ID: IMG_8456.JPG-08-11-2023 Flower name (scientific): Liatris pycnostachya André Michaux PY: 1803. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) lie-A-tris (or LY-uh-tris) pik-no-STAK-ee-uh Flower name (common): Prairie Blazing Star Family name (common): Aster Family name (scientific): Asteraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: Modern Latin, word origin has unknown derivation. Specific epithet: From the Greek pyknos, thick, and stachys, spike. Spike very dense. Common name origin: From the common habitat and the conspicuous flower clusters, often of star-shaped flowers. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1.0 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: pink or red Other: flower arrangement, Spike Plant description: Size: 24 to 48 inches (61 to 122 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is basal and alternate, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, linear to narrowly oblanceolate or oblanceolate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Prairies, meadows, fields, roadsides, moist to wet, sun. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Liatris aspera (Rough Blazingstar) and Liatris pycnostachya are the two most widely distributed Liatris species in Wisconsin. They can be distinguished from one another by the appearance of the bracts. L. aspera has bracts with a cup-shaped form, greenish-white in color, and with an irregular edge, whereas L. pycnostachya has bracts with a redish-pink color. The dense flowering spike of L. pycnostachya can aid in the identification of this species. In Wisconsin, Liatris spicata (Marsh Blazing-star, Dense Gay-feather) is a species of special concern, and Liatris punctata (Dotted Blazing-star, Dotted Gay-feather) is listed as an endangered species, with the latter species having a rather limited range in the state. Ethnobotany: Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Bayfield, Brown, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, St. Croix, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Waukesha, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SD, TX, WI) Click here for distribution map In Canada: References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Liatris pycnostachya var. pycnostachya (The other infraspecific is Liatris pycnostachya var. lasiophylla Shinners which is native to three southern US states.) Wetland Status (NC): FAC Wetland Status (MW): FAC