Rough Blazing Star

The term 'liatris' isn't defined in Stern's dictionary of Plant Names. It is of unknown derivation. 'Aspera' comes from the Latin, meaning rough, referring to the texture of the stem and leaves of this plant.

The common name, 'Rough' is fitting based on the explanation of 'rough' above. 'Blazing star' refers to the star shape and showiness of the individual tiny flowers.

Liatris aspera is in the Aster family (Asteraceae).

Flowers occur alternately in a raceme toward the top of the plant. The flowers are about an inch wide with bright pink to purple. Like other liatris species, the flowers lack a floral scent. Liatris aspera makes up for that with extra large and beautiful flowers. Blooming proceeds from the top of the spike downward.

Liatris aspera is a perennial like other members of the Liatris tribe. It reaches a height between 3–5 feet. The stem may be green or somewhat reddish. It has short hairs but may lack hairs toward its base. Tall stems may lean under the weight of flowers and buds. The alternate leaves are larger at the base (up to 10 inches) with short stalks. Toward the top, they become much shorter and stalkless.

Flowers are subtended by bracts that have a pouch-shape with irregular margins.

Liatris aspera is a terrific plant for a pollinator garden as it attracts many varied butterflies, skippers, bees and bee flies as well as Ruby-throated hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds

Bees

Butterflies

I had a real treat one afternoon observing a male Spicebush Swallowtail courting a female who was nectaring on the flowers of Liatris aspera. See photos below.

Here's a sampling of butterflies I've documented visiting these flowers (in addition to the Spicebush Swallowtails shown above).

Skippers

Liatris aspera is found in a variety of habitats including prairie, savanna, limestone glade and woodland edge as well as forest openings, ledges and bluff tops. Here in northern Arkansas, I find it growing in grassland, glade and occasionally, woodland edge. It tolerates and blooms in poor soil, during droughts and despite the heat and humidity of our Arkansas summers. This is a tough plant!

NatureServe lists Liatris aspera as Apparently Secure within its range, however it is shown as Critically Imperiled in North Carolina, Imperiled in South Carolina and Vulnerable in Kentucky, Virginia and Georgia. It is Apparently Secure in Iowa, West Virginia and Secure in Kansas. All other states within its range show No Status Rank.

In Arkansas, Liatris aspera has a Conservation Value of 8 (in the highest group 8-10), meaning "Conservative taxa with strong fidelity to intact habitats. These taxa tend to exhibit late-successional characteristics like long lifespans with low seed sets and an inability for far ranging dispersal."

This is one of our most drought tolerant plants that will not only survive droughts but also bloom during them. So if you are considering a Xeriscape or water-wise garden, this is a plant to consider.