| Slender gayfeather, Blazing star
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| Liatris gracilis
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| Asteraceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also wildflower and butterfly gardens. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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| Availability: |
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Commonly available at native plant nurseries in central Florida. Available at native plant nurseries in northeast Florida. |
| Description: |
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Medium herbaceous wildflower. |
| Height: |
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About 2-3 inches in height; to 3 feet when in flower. Usually taller than broad, but falling over and forming open patches. |
| Growth Rate: |
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Moderate. |
| Range: |
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Southeastern United States south to the Monroe County Keys, where known only from Big Pine Key. |
| Habitats: |
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Pinelands. |
| Soils: |
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Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, without humus. |
| Nutritional Requirements: |
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Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils. |
| Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate flooding by salt or brackish water. |
| Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Low; salt wind may burn the leaves. |
| Drought Tolerance: |
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High; does not require any supplemental water once established. |
| Light Requirements: |
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Full sun. |
| Flower Color: |
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Rose purplish. |
| Flower Characteristics: |
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Showy. |
| Flowering Season: |
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Summer-fall. |
| Fruit: |
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Inconspicuous achene. |
| Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Nectar plant for butterflies. Attracts native bees and other beneficial insects. Valuable source of insects for birds. |
| Horticultural Notes: |
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Can be grown from seed. |
| Comments: |
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Susan Lerner, cultivated at Pan's Garden, Town of Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
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