Habitat Avengers Featured Native : (Blazing Star) – presently in bloom (fall )!

There are so many attractive native plant species suitable for ornamental purposes while also providing resources for wildlife. Several can be found in the genus Liatris…

Plants in the genus Liatris are commonly Zabulon skipper known as blazing star or gayfeather. They are native perennial wildflowers typically observed on roadsides and in natural areas among the many fall blooming asters ( family). Various shades of purple Photo: complement the yellows and whites of other Nancy fall blooming . These species can be Adamson encouraged where found in the wild or planted to enhance more cultivated habitats. Many species are available commercially.

Liatris species native to include Liatris graminifolia or pilosa (grass- leaved or shaggy blazing star), (scaly blazing star), Liatris gracilis (slender blazing star), (tall blazing star), (marsh or spiked blazing star), and (elegant or pink scale blazing star); check the SC Plant Photo: Dale Buchner Atlas for ranges of these and other native Liatris species: http://herbarium.biol.sc.edu/herb/l.htm

Blazing star species generally have dense clusters of Liatris elegans flowers along 1 or several main stems, with linear leaves of various, usually narrow widths. Liatris are generally found in full sun and dry sandy or rocky soils.

Liatris species Photo by Nancy Adamson are larval host plants for 4 Long-tailed species of Liatris is a preferred nectar source skipper and are a preferred of monarchs and native bees Photo: Nancy Adamson nectar source for Photo: monarchs, gulf Nancy WoodSong Photography Adamson fritilarries, and many other bumble bee on butterflies, especially migratory blazing star, species. They are also an important nectar source for native Liatris spicata bees (including bumble bees), honey bees, and many other beneficial insects such as flies, beetles, and moths. Once plants are established, one can Photo: Sudie Thomas easliy harvest and propagate Liatris seeds.

More information: http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LIEL http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LISP http://www.se-eppc.org/southcarolina/ and http://www.se-eppc.org/