A perennial (lasting multiple seasons) that is native to most of the United States. The Scaly Blazing Star, also known as Scaly Gayfeather or Scaly Liastris, is a herb that grows in sandy or rocky environments that support a dry heat.Â
The flower attracts moths, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. There are two specific moths that it hosts, the blazing star flower moth and the blazing star borer moth (left).
Birds are able to eat the seeds but also eat the bugs that are attracted to the flowers. Birds can also use the plants to line their nest. Rabbits, woodchucks, deer, and voles have been found to eat parts of the plant as well.
The Blazing Stars are a part of the Aster family. The Scaly Blazing Star can be found all across the United States, but has more of a population in the Southeast. They grow well with Ironweed, Tall Goldenrod, and ornamental grasses.
Most common mis-identification comes from other plants from the Liatris genus. You do not need to worry about the other plants in the same genus as they are native to the area. (Picture of Prairie Blazing Star).
Sources:
Information:
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/scaly-blazing-star-scaly-gayfeather
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LISQ
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/liatris-squarrosa/
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/164703-Liatris-squarrosa
https://www.backyardecology.net/scaly-blazing-star/
https://www.highcountrygardens.com/product/perennial-plants/liatris-squarrosa-scaly-blazing-star
Images:
https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/carmenta-anthracipennis
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LISQ
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/whimsical-hummingbird-christina-rollo.html
https://directnativeplants.com/product/blazing-star/
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/prairie-blazing-star-prairie-gayfeather