Liatris virgata

Nuttall

J. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 7: 72. 1834.

Common names: King’s Mountain or piedmont gayfeather
Endemic
Synonyms: Lacinaria smallii Britton Liatris graminifolia var. racemosa (de Candolle) Venard Liatris graminifolia var. smallii (Britton) Fernald & Griscom Liatris graminifolia var. virgata (Nuttall) Fernald Liatris regimontis Liatris spicata var. racemosa de Candolle
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 21. Treatment on page 528. Mentioned on page 515, 529.

Plants 35–75 cm. Corms mostly globose. 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 (not secund, internodes 6–20 mm). 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), sometimes sparsely ciliolate, apices acute to obtuse-angled (with thickened, not markedly involute, apicula). Florets 7–10(–12); corolla tubes pilose inside. Cypselae (2–)3–4 mm; pappi: lengths ± equaling corollas, bristles barbellate. 2n = 20.


Phenology: Flowering (Jul–)Aug–Oct(–Nov).
Habitat: Edges of swampy woods, stream margins, slopes, clearings, edges of upland woods, rocky woods, pine-oak woods, mixed deciduous woods, roadsides, Iredell soils, clays
Elevation: 50–1000 m

Discussion

Liatris virgata is characterized by its non-congested arrangement of heads, often on a slightly zigzag axis, and especially by its relatively thickened phyllaries with angled apices (acute to obtuse-apiculate). The name Liatris regimontis has been misapplied to the species now identified as L. cokeri.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Liatris virgata"
Guy L. Nesom +
Nuttall +
King’s Mountain or piedmont gayfeather +
Ga. +, N.C. +, S.C. +  and Va. +
50–1000 m +
Edges of swampy woods, stream margins, slopes, clearings, edges of upland woods, rocky woods, pine-oak woods, mixed deciduous woods, roadsides, Iredell soils, clays +
Flowering (Jul–)Aug–Oct(–Nov). +
J. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia +
Lacinaria smallii +, Liatris graminifolia var. racemosa +, Liatris graminifolia var. smallii +, Liatris graminifolia var. virgata +, Liatris regimontis +  and Liatris spicata var. racemosa +
Liatris virgata +
species +