Liatris cymosa
(Branched Gayfeather)
Liatris cymosa, Bastrop State Park, Bastrop Co. 1466-1
Liatris cymosa, Bastrop State Park, Bastrop Co. 1470
Liatris cymosa, Bastrop State Park, Bastrop Co. 1466-2
Liatris cymosa, Bastrop State Park, Bastrop Co. 1468
Liatris aspera, Bastrop State Park, Bastrop Co. 1345
| Scientific Name | Liatris cymosa | USDA PLANTS Symbol | LICY2 |
| Common Name | Branched Gayfeather, Branched Blazing Star, Aggie-land Gayfeather | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 37916 |
| Family | Asteraceae (Sunflower) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Clay-loam, chalky or gravelly soils in grasslands, fields, post-oak woodland openings and fencerows. Plant: Erect perennial with one or more leafy, branched stems from 8 to 30 inches; with short, stiff or pubescent hairs. Leaves: Basal and stem leaves linear to narrowly oblanceolate, single-nerved (one vein), 3 to 8 inches long, reduced on upper half of stems, sessile to clasping, hairless surfaces and gland-dotted (punctate); stem leaves alternate and linear. Inflorescence: A few to many purple composite flowers in an open cyme-like arrangement, each head with ~20 to 25 florets (rays are absent); bell-shaped to cylindrical involucre with several series of phyllaries; outer phyllaries almost round and slightly hairy, inner ones with pointed tips and may be purple-tinged. Bloom Period: July to October. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Rare Plants of Texas" by Poole, Carr, Price and Singhurst and Flora of North America. Note: L. cymosa is a rare plant, endemic to a few counties in SE Texas. It is the only Liatris with branched stems. These photos were taken in mid-October, and the blooms were well-past their prime. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key | Texas Status: Native Endemic |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024