Liatris spicata MARSH BLAZING STAR

Description:

close up image of Liatris spicata MARSH BLAZING STAR at the James Woodworth Prairie Preserve - a single specimen at beginning of bloom, showing dense flower heads and budsIt is difficult to distinguish between this species and Liatris pychostachya PRAIRIE BLAZING STAR since they are visually similar and completely intermixed at the Peacock/Woodworth Prairie. The easiest way to distinguish them is to check the bracts: relatively straight bracts indicate MARSH BLAZING STAR, recurvant bracts indicate PRAIRIE BLAZING STAR (just barely visible in lower buds).