Quick Characteristics:
| Height: | 60-120 cm (2-3.9 ft) |
| Flower Colors: | purple |
| Flower Season: | mid summer to late summer |
| Life form: | corm |
Liatris ligulistylis (A.Nelson) K.Schum., Rocky Mountain or Meadow Blazing Star, is a widespread species occurring from southern Manitoba down to northern New Mexico. Its inflorescence features 5 to 20, each 2-3 cm wide flower heads on individual peduncles up to 5 cm long, giving it a rather loose and open appearance compared to the more commonly cultivated Liatris spicata. It prefers moderately moist to moist sites as it naturally inhabits prairies, meadows and stream banks. It is said to be a butterfly magnet in its home territory. The pictures show a plant grown from seed by Martin Bohnet, which flowered in its third year. Photo 3 shows the pubescent lower side of the leaves, about 1.5 months before flowering, Photo 4 shows a ripe seedhead.
