Liatris aspera
Common Name: Rough Blazing Star
Rough Blazing Star is a hardy perennial reaching 1 to 4 feet in height, thriving in dry prairies, open woodlands, and sandy or rocky soils. Its dense, spiky purple flowers bloom from late summer into fall, attracting a variety of pollinators, including butterflies and bees. This drought-tolerant species is well-suited for native plant gardens, prairie restorations, and erosion control projects. It has historical medicinal uses by Indigenous groups for treating digestive and respiratory ailments.