Blazing star
Also known as: smooth gayfeather
Images
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Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, often several, glabrous.
- Leaves
- Alternate, simple, linear, 4 to 10 inches long, to 1/2 inch wide, rigid, glabrous; margins entire; upper leaves reduced in size.
- Inflorescence
- Raceme-like to spike-like; heads usually few, short stalked or sessile, to 1/2 inch wide, terminal ones often largest; bracts often much longer than heads, overlapping, glabrous; tips tapering to points, curving back and downward or spreading.
- Flower
- Ray florets absent; disk florets 10-60, corollas purplish, pubescent within.
- Fruit
- Achenes, cylindric, usually 10-ribbed, tipped with feather-like bristles, enclosing small seed.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Dry, sandy, upland prairies.
- Distribution
- West 3/4 of Kansas.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 1-2 feet
- Last Updated
- 2007-09-03
Color Groups
Blue, Purple, Lavender & Violet Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: June, July, August, September