The small flowers open from the top to bottom on the spikes, unlike most plants whose flowers open from the bottom upward as the spike develops. Depending on the species, the clump-forming plant arises from a corm, rhizome or elongated root crown. Another old common name for this plant is colic root, alluding to its medicinal use.
Liatris produces tall spikes of purple flowers in late summer.īlazing Star or Gay Feather ( Liatris spp.) is a native American perennial that produces tall spikes of bright purple bottlebrushes above the tufts of green, grass-like leaves in late summer.
