Turgid Blazing Star ⚠️ Threatened

Liatris helleri

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Liatris
Species:
Liatris helleri
USDA Symbol:
LITU3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Geophyte
Height:
60 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
aug,sep,oct
Bloom Colors:
pink, purple, lavender

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from corm after fire. Historically maintained by periodic burning in its native high-elevation rock outcrops.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–28 days
Notes:
Seeds require light for germination. Cold stratification improves germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).

Source: Claude AI