Liatris spicata
Family: Asteraceae
Herbaceous perennial. Prairie plant native to the central and
eastern United States. Highly decorative plant, with narrow basal
leaves bearing magnificent spikes of purple flowers. Butterflies
flock around these blossoms. A poultice of the tuberous root is a
native American remedy for snakebite. The root decoction helps move
metabolic waste out of the system through the lymph. Cultivation:
Extra care. Sow and cultivate in much the same way as Echinacea
purpurea. Sow seed in greenhouse in early spring. Germ
in 7-11 days. Transplant out to garden after the second set of true
leaves appears. Plant 1 foot apart. Flowers to 2 feet high.
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