Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)
A.k.a. Marsh blazing star. A classic gayfeather in appearance and a popular draw for bees and butterflies. Difficult to tell apart from its better known relative, prairie blazing star.
Light: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet, Wet Mesic, Mesic
Soil Type: Sandy Loam, Loam, Gravely Loam
Height: 3'-5'
Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Jul-Aug
Root Type: Corm
Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and skippers. Hosts the liatris flower moth and liatris borer moth. Seed eating birds, especially goldfinches, consume some seeds. Commonly browsed by mammals to the extent that it can be difficult to establish.