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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Native plant nurseries. |
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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