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| Blazing Star, Liatris |
Blazing Star, or
Gayfeather, are tall, tufted flowers of the
Liatris genus within the Aster family. They can grow anywhere from 1 to 3 feet on average, although species such as
Prairie Blazing Star are known to reach 5 feet in height. These plants serve not only as a popular and important food source for many butterflies, but as a
preferred browse for deer and antelope and a source of seed for birds. Often the absence of blazing star is a good indication of
heavy grazing pressure within a field. Many American Indian tribes also used
certain species of blazing star for consumption, from baking the sweet roots over fire to boiling the entire plant to treat heart pains, diarrhea, or inflammation.
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