Lucas Land
Wand or Grass-leaved Blazingstar
Liatris virgata Nutt.
Stems glabrous. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline 1-nerved, narrowly oblanceolate, (50–)90–150 × (2–)4–9(–12) mm wide, usually abruptly, sometimes gradually, reduced distally, glabrous or sparsely pilose (abaxially), gland-dotted (proximal margins sparsely pilose-ciliate). Heads in loose, racemiform to spiciform arrays. Peduncles 0 or (ascending) mostly 2–12 mm. Involucres campanulate-cylindric, (6–)7–9 × 3.5–4.5(–5) mm. Phyllaries usually in 3–5(–6) series, in 5–6(–7) series in largest heads, ovate-triangular to oblong, unequal, glabrous, margins with narrow, hyaline borders (lacking at apices). Florets 7–10(–12); corolla tubes pilose inside. Cypselae (2–)3–4 mm; pappi: lengths ± equaling corollas, bristles barbellate. 2n = 20.