Prairie Blazing Star
Liatris pycnostachya
- Native to:
- United States
Photo by David J. Stang
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Liatris
- Species:
- Liatris pycnostachya
- USDA Symbol:
- LIPY
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Geophyte
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
blazing star borer moth (Papaipema beeriana)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black and gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus), Lemon cuckoo (Bombus citrinus), Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus), Two-spotted Longhorn (Melissodes bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow bumble (Bombus fervidus) Moths:blazing star borer moth (Papaipema beeriana) Butterflies:Great Spangled (Argynnis cybele), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Peck's skipper (Polites peckius), Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from corm after fire. Historically maintained by prairie fire regimes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers prairies and open meadows
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds can be placed in cold moist stratification for 105 days or sown in the fall after cleaning. If fall planting is not possible, seeds can be stored dry in cold storage at 34-36 degrees Fahrenheit.
Establishment: Seed is collected by a custom designed combine from nursery stock. The plant flowers from approx. July 6 to July 25. Seed is harvested about Sept. 14. L. pycnostachya is found from Kentucky southwest to Texas and west to the Great Plains, and also ranges from Wisconsin to Montana, south to Texas and Alabama.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.