Liatris scariosa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Liatris scariosa
Scientific classification
Genus:	Liatris
Species:	scariosa
Synonyms
List Anonymos ramosa Walter Lacinaria scariosa (L.) Hill Lacinaria scariosa f. corymbulosa E.Sheld. Lacinaria scariosa f. globosa E.Sheld. Lacinaria scariosa f. gracillima Lunell Lacinaria scariosa f. septentrionalis Lunell Lacinaria scariosa f. uniflora E.Sheld. Lacinaria scariosa f. versicolor Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. angustata Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. annuens Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. basilaris Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. brachiata Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. chandonnetii Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. composita Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. corymbulosa E.Sheld. Lacinaria scariosa var. exuberans Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. galli Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. immanis Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. inconcinna Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. insolens Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. multiplex Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. nictitans Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. obesa Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. opima Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. perusta Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. petiolata Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. porrecta Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. praecellens Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. praeceps Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. praesignis Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. praestans Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. propinqua Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. ramea Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. scalaris Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. singularis Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. spheroidea Farw. Lacinaria scariosa var. strictissima Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. subcorymbosa Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. subcymosa Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. superans Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. supereminens Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. superscandens Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. trilisioides Farw. Lacinaria scariosa var. uniflora Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. virgata Lunell Lacinaria scariosa var. virginiana Lunell Liatris scariosa var. deamii Peattie Liatris scariosa var. typica Gaiser Liatris scariosa var. virginiana (Lunell) Gaiser Liatris varia Banks ex Pursh Serratula scariosa L. Suprago sphaerocephala Cass.

The Savanna Blazing Star (Liatris scariosa) is a beautiful flowering plant found in parts of the eastern United States. It's known for its tall stems and purple, spiky flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. This plant is a member of the Liatris family, which includes many other types of "blazing stars."

Savanna Blazing Star Facts

The Savanna Blazing Star is a unique plant. It grows in open, sunny areas like savannas and prairies. Its scientific name, Liatris scariosa, helps scientists identify it. This plant was first described in 1803.

Where Does it Grow?

This plant is native to several US states. You can find it in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. It prefers habitats with lots of sunlight. These areas often have sandy or rocky soil.

How it Survives Fire

The Savanna Blazing Star has a special ability: it is fire-adapted. This means it can survive and even thrive after a wildfire. Its seeds are very clever. They can sense chemicals from plant smoke. When they detect these chemicals, it tells them it's a good time to sprout. This helps the plant grow back quickly after a fire. Fire also clears out other plants, giving the blazing star more space and sunlight.

Appearance and Life Cycle

The Savanna Blazing Star grows from a corm, which is like a small, underground bulb. Each year, a new stem grows from this corm. The plant can grow quite tall, sometimes reaching over a meter in height.

Flowers and Seeds

Its flowers are a vibrant purple color. They grow in dense clusters along the top part of the stem. These flowers attract many pollinators, like bees and butterflyes. After the flowers bloom, they produce small seeds. These seeds are then dispersed, often by wind or animals. This helps new blazing star plants grow in different places.