Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

Plant grows best in full to partial sun and well drained soil.

Growth Habit/Description:

It grows in rocky, open woodlands on ridgetops and slopes, and on glades and bluffs of sandstone, novaculite, or shale.  Growth hight 1-2 feet.

Bloom Season:

Flowers as early as May and continues to bloom into July.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

No.

Host Plant for butterflies?

Liatris species are host plants for the flower moths Schinia gloriosa and Schinia sanguinea, both of which feed exclusively on the genus. The plants are visted by all manner of bees, hover flies, and other insects. Provides a nectar source for monarch butterflies. Butterflies and other pollinators are attracted to the purplish pink fuzzy blossoms.

Other Known Ecological Value?

The blazing star is vey drought hardy and does well in gardens with well drained soils.

Reason for Name: 

Referred to as blazing star do to the appearance of the flowers.

Susan Hooks, Forest Service U.S Department of Agriculture. Ouachita Blazing Star (Liatris Compacta).                   [Cited 2024, September 18]. 

Available from: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/liatris-compacta 

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database. Austin (TX). Ouachita Blazing Star (Liatris Compacta).           [Cited 2024, September 2024]. 

Available from:

BONAP's North American Plant Atlas. Ouachita Blazing Star (Liatris compacta). [Cited 2024, September 18]

Available from: https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Liatris%20compacta.png 

Xerces society for Invertebrate Conservation, Xerces Society - Blog - Plants For Pollinators: Blazingstar, By Justin Wheeler on 9, August 2017. Ouachita Blazing Star (Liatris Compacta).  [Cited 2024, October 2]

Availabe from: http://www.xerces.org/blog/plants-for-pollinators-blazingstar#:~:text=Liatris%20species%20are%20host%20plants,for%20monarchs%20and%20other%20butterflies. 

Last edited by Lindsey Cox, September 2024.