Snakeroot, Gayfeather, Dotted blazing star
Liatris punctata

Family: Asteraceae

What it is like

A small herb. It grows 10-45 cm high. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves are alternate and narrow. They are stiff and rather thick. They are 5-15 cm long. The flowers are pink disks. The flower heads occur singly at the ends of branches. They are 1-2 cm across. The fruit is a dry achene.

There are about 35-40 Liatris species. They grow in eastern North America.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in dry open places and in sandy soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Canada, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The roots are baked and eaten.

Edible parts

Root, corm

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dotted gayfeather

Synonyms

Lacinaria punctata (Hook.) Kuntze; Liatris cylindrica Torr.; and others