{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}} {{Speciesbox | image = Liatris_aspera2.jpg | status = G4 | status_system = TNC | genus = Liatris | species = aspera | authority = Michx. }}
'''''Liatris aspera''''' (known as '''rough blazing star''',<ref name="Illinois">{{Illinois Wildflowers|prairie/plantx/rgh_blazingstarx|Rough Blazingstar (Liatris aspera)}}</ref><ref name="Minnesota">{{Minnesota Wildflowers|flower/rough-blazing-star|Liatris aspera (Rough Blazing Star)}}</ref> '''button blazing star''',<ref>{{Kansas Wildflowers|60|Tall gayfeather}}</ref> '''lacerate blazing star''',<ref>{{Flora of Wisconsin|4058}}</ref> '''tall prairie blazing star''',<ref name="Minnesota" /> or '''tall gayfeather'''<ref name="natureserve">{{cite web |title=NatureServe Explorer 2.0 |url=https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.149282/Liatris_aspera |website=explorer.natureserve.org}}</ref>) is a perennial wildflower in the Asteraceae family that is found in central to eastern North America in habitats that range from mesic to dry prairie and dry savanna.
==Description== ''Liatris aspera'' is a perennial herb<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Liatris aspera - Plant Finder|url=https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=k860|access-date=2022-01-18|website=www.missouribotanicalgarden.org}}</ref> that grows as a single, erect, unbranched stem {{convert|30|to|180|cm|ft|0|sp=us|abbr=in}} high.<ref name="FNA">{{eFloras|1|242416758|Liatris aspera |tribe=Eupatorieae |first=Guy L. |last=Nesom}}</ref> Leaves are numerous on the stem, alternate, and narrowly lanceolate with the lower leaves larger, up to {{convert |38|cm|in|0|}} long and {{convert |1|in|cm|0|}} wide, becoming smaller and narrower higher on the plant.<ref name="Illinois"/>
The inflorescence is an erect raceme with numerous, purple, button-like flower heads, short-stalked or stalkless, blooming from the top down. It flowers from mid-August through October, with seed becoming ripe in October to November.<ref name=":0"/>
==Distribution and habitat== This plant is native to the United States from Texas to the west and New York to the east. It is also native to Ontario in Canada.<ref>{{cite web |title=USDA Plants Database |url=https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=LIAS |website=plants.usda.gov}}</ref> It grows in prairies, glades, and savannas, and along roadsides and railroads.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Denison |first1=Edgar |title=Missouri Wildflowers |date=2017 |publisher=Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri |isbn=978-1-887247-59-7 |pages=76}}</ref>
==Ecology== It attracts birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies.<ref name=":0" />
<gallery> File:LiatrisAspera.jpg|Flowers from above, some not yet blooming. File:Monarch on Rough Blazing Star (42664211220).jpg|Monarch butterfly on Liatris aspera, North Dakota, USA. </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q6540301}}
aspera Category:Flora of the Eastern United States Category:Flora of the United States Category:Flora of Northern America