Heller's blazing star facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heller's blazing star |
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Liatris helleri is a special kind of flowering plant often called Heller's blazing star or Heller's gayfeather. It belongs to the aster family, which also includes sunflowers and daisies. This plant is found in the Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern part of the United States. You can see it in states like North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. Liatris helleri is considered a threatened species, which means it needs protection because its home is in danger.
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About Heller's Blazing Star
Liatris helleri is a plant that grows back every year. It can reach about half a meter (20 inches) tall. It grows from a round, underground stem called a corm, which stores food.
What Does It Look Like?
The leaves of Liatris helleri can be different shapes. Some are long and thin, while others are wider and shaped like a spear. The biggest leaves are found at the bottom of the plant. They can be 5 to 22 centimeters (2-8.8 inches) long. The leaves get much smaller higher up on the stem.
The plant's flowers grow in a tall, spike-like cluster. This cluster has many small flower heads. Each flower head has purplish, bell-shaped leaves called involucres around its base. Inside, there are 7 to 17 light purple disc flowers. These flowers bloom from July to September.
After blooming, the plant produces small fruits called achenes. Each achene has a feathery top called a pappus. This pappus helps the seeds float away in the wind.
Where Does It Grow?
Liatris helleri is native to the Appalachian Mountains. It grows in specific areas within North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. For a long time, people thought it only grew in North Carolina.
However, a study in 2005 looked closer at these plants. It suggested that some plants in West Virginia and Virginia, once thought to be a different species, might actually be Liatris helleri. If this is true, the plant might be found in more places than first believed.
Protecting This Plant
Liatris helleri was added to the American endangered species list in 1987. It was given a "threatened" status. This means it is likely to become endangered in the near future. At that time, it was only known to grow on cliffs at the tops of the northern Blue Ridge Mountains.
These mountain areas are popular for fun activities. People enjoy hiking and skiing there. However, these activities can harm the plant's home. Building things like parking lots and bridges also puts the plant in danger.
In 1987, only seven groups of these plants were known to exist. By the year 2000, an eighth group was found. Today, it's estimated that there are only about 3,000 Liatris helleri plants in the wild. Scientists are also growing more of these plants in greenhouses. This helps them plant new ones in safe places to help the species survive.
