Dotted Blazing Star, Gayfeather, Snakeroot,Liatris punctata,Sunflower Family (Asteraceae)

The Bloom Blog
Blooming this week in the environs of Abiquiú
By Wildflowers of the Southern Rocky Mountains

​Image Courtesy of Mario Manzo

Found in open sandy and rocky areas
Seen blooming in September in Red Wash Basin

Dotted Blazing Star grows to 32 inches with unbranched stems and narrow leaves. Small lavender to pale pink flowers grow in narrow spikes that bloom from the top down. It has a remarkable root system with lateral branches extending to 5 feet and the taproot reaching up to 16 feet. Domestic livestock like the Dotted Blazing Star, particularly sheep. Elk and White-Tail Deer also eat it; it is sometimes called Deer Potatoes. A variety of small rodents like it, especially the roots, and it is the only source of food for some butterflies. Native Americans used the plant for food and medicinal purposes. The root was boiled or baked before eating. Plains tribes used the Dotted Blazing Star to make a tea that was used for kidney, bladder, and menstrual problems, water retention, gonorrhea, colic, sore throat and laryngitis. Mashed roots were applied to snake bites. Dry roots were burned like incense to relieve headaches, nosebleeds, and tonsillitis. Source.

If you are trying to identify a different flower then you can check what other flowers bloom this month. If you cannot identify a flower from the website, send a photo and where you took it to [email protected]. Read online for tips.