About Liatris cylindracea Michx.
Cylindrical blazing star, Liatris cylindracea Michx., grows from rounded or occasionally elongated corms that produce hairless stems between 20–60 cm (8–24 in) tall. The top of the stem holds either a single flower head, or a loose to dense cluster (in the form of a raceme, spike, or panicle) that contains 2 to 28 flower heads. Each flower head holds 10–35 florets, and is either stemless or attached via a 2–10 mm (3⁄32–13⁄32 in) long stem that orients the head to face upward. Flowers bloom from mid to late summer, with blooming beginning at the top of the cluster and moving downward. Basal and cauline leaves of this species typically have three nerves, though some individuals may have up to five. Leaves are long and thin, ranging from 8 to 25 cm (3+1⁄4 to 9+3⁄4 in) long and 2 to 6 mm (3⁄32 to 1⁄4 in) wide. Most leaves are hairless, though some may have sparse hairs along their margins. Some plants found in Kentucky and Missouri are entirely hairy, which may indicate they are hybrids with Liatris hirsuta. The largest leaves on the stem sit a short distance above the stem base, and leaves gradually become smaller moving upward from this point. Seeds develop inside dry fruits called cypselae, which measure 5–7 mm (3⁄16–9⁄32 in) long and are tipped with feathery pappi. The roots of Liatris cylindracea can reach depths of 15 ft (4.6 m).
