Wand Gayfeather Liatris virgata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Lacinaria regimontis
- Lacinaria smallii
- Liatris graminifolia var. racemosa
- Liatris graminifolia var. smallii
- Liatris graminifolia var. virgata
- Liatris regimontis
- Liatris spicata var. racemosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- ly-AY-tris vir-GAH-tuh
- Description
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Grass-leaved blazing-star is a native perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It is found in dry to mesic woodlands, rocky woodlands, openings, and roadsides in all areas of NC in the more southern counties. It is rated as a very high wildlife value plant.
It prefers sandy to rocky well-drained soils in full to mostly sunny locations. Use in the native pollinator garden. It is both drought and heat tolerant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Liatris
- Species:
- virgata
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeast USA
- Distribution:
- DC, DE, GA, MD, NC, NJ, PA, SC, VA, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Native bees are attracted to this plant. Very high wildlife value.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Achenes have tufts of barbed hairs in the fall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Heads of frilly purple disc flowers are arranged in a zig-zag pattern up the stem from Aug.- Oct.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Narrow oblanceolate leaves are basalar with some alternating up the stem. Lower leaves have hairs along the margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Green smooth unbranched stem.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
