Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, solitary or in clusters, stiff, glabrous.
- Leaves
- Alternate, simple, sessile, numerous, linear, to 6 inches long, less than 1/5 inch wide, covered with tiny dots or pits; margins entire; upper leaves reduced in size.
- Inflorescence
- Elongate leafy spikes of many crowded heads; heads cylindric, 1/2 to 3/4 inch tall; bracts narrow, in 3-4 series, tips pointed, margins fringed with white hairs.
- Flower
- Ray florets absent; disk florets 3-8, rose-purple, corollas pubescent inside.
- Fruit
- Achenes, short, ribbed, dark brown, tipped with many feather-like bristles, enclosing small seed.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Dry, open, upland sites, most abundant on sandy soils.
- Distribution
- Throughout Kansas.
Practical Information
- Forage Value
- In the early growth stage, the herbage is nutritious and palatable for livestock, being especially preferred by sheep.
- Uses
- Native Americans utilized the roots as a food source and to make a tea used to treat stomachaches.
Additional Notes
Comments
Called crow-foot by some Native American tribes, because crows were often observed eating the roots in the fall. Dotted gayfeather produces a taproot that can reach a depth of 15 feet, making it quite drought-resistant.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 6-30 inches
- Last Updated
- 2021-02-20
Color Groups
Blue, Purple, Lavender & Violet Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: August, September