Liatris pycnostachya
Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 91. 1803.
Plants (40–)60–120(–180) cm. Corms globose, sometimes becoming elongate rhizomes. Stems glabrous or densely piloso-puberulent. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline 3–5-nerved, linear to narrowly oblanceolate or oblanceolate, 110–220 × 4–10(–12) mm, gradually then abruptly reduced distally (bractlike proximal to heads), essentially glabrous or sparsely pilose to densely piloso-puberulent, weakly gland-dotted (bases of basal usually fibrous-persistent). Heads in dense, spiciform arrays. Peduncles usually 0, rarely (spreading to ascending) 1–2 mm. Involucres campanulate-cylindric, 7–9(–10) × 3.5–5 mm. Phyllaries (reflexed or curving-spreading) in 4–5 series, oblong-lanceolate, unequal, essentially glabrous or ± pilose, margins with hyaline borders, sometimes ciliate, apices usually acute to acute-acuminate (sometimes distally dilated, nearly petaloid). Florets (4–)5–8; corolla tubes glabrous inside. Cypselae 3.8–4.5(–5) mm; pappi: lengths ± equaling corollas, bristles barbellate.
Distribution
Ark., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., N.Dak., N.J., N.Y., Nebr., Ohio, Okla., Pa., S.Dak., Tex., Wis.
Discussion
Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).
Selected References
None.
Key
| 1 | Corms globose; stems usually glabrous or sparsely pilose except near heads (where sparsely piloso-puberulent); leaves glabrous | Liatris pycnostachya var. pycnostachya |
| 1 | Corms globose to elongate; stems moderately to densely piloso-puberulent; leaves moderately to densely piloso-puberulent to nearly glabrous | Liatris pycnostachya var. lasiophylla |