Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: narrow-leaved gayfeather
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Central and southern United States
Zone: 5 to 9
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Description: Purple
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy, Good Cut, Good Dried
Attracts: Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Tolerate: Drought, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Best grown in medium to dry, sandy to rocky, well-draining soils in full sun. Does not tolerate overly rich, wet, or poorly drained soils. Tolerates some drought once established. Hardy in Zones 5-9.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Liatris mucronata, commonly called narrow-leaved gayfeather, bottlebrush blazing star, or Texas blazing star, is a herbaceous perennial native to glades, bluffs, and other rocky, open habitats in the south-central United States, from Kansas south to Texas. Mature plants will reach up to 3' tall and 1.5' wide. The narrow, linear foliage can reach up to 6" long and is held on sturdy, upright, unbranched stems. The stems emerge from a round corm. Each stem is topped with a dense, spike inflorescence made up of small, purple flowers. The flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and other insect pollinators. The seeds are an important food source for birds. The blooms also excellent cut flowers for fresh or dried floral arrangements.
Genus name of unknown origin.
The specific epithet mucronata comes from "mucronate" which means "having an abrupt tip". This refers to the shape of the apex of the floral bracts.
The common names of this species can refer to the shape of the foliage, the appearance of the inflorescence, or its native range.
Problems
No major pest or disease problems of note.
Uses
Rock gardens, bird gardens, pollinator gardens, native plantings.