About Liatris tenuifolia Nutt.
Liatris tenuifolia Nutt., commonly called shortleaf gayfeather, is a species in the genus Liatris that is endemic to parts of the Southeast United States. It is native to the U.S. states of Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia. This species grows in sand, and can be found in oak woods, sand hills, dunes, longleaf pine savannas, and along roadsides. Its flowers are lavender, blooming from mid to late fall, and the plant goes dormant over winter. In spring, it starts producing needle-like leaves. The species has basal leaves that measure 4 to 10 inches (10 to 25 cm) in length, and its upright stalk grows 2 to 5 feet (0.61 to 1.52 m) tall. The variety Liatris tenuifolia var. quadriflora, which is sometimes classified as the separate species Liatris laevigata, can be distinguished by its broader basal leaves.
