Liatris scariosa
Devil's Bite
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Liatris
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.8 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
The root is appetizer, diuretic and tonic[5][6][3][4]. It is used in the treatment of abdominal complaints, kidney and bladder problems[4]. A poultice made from the powdered roots is applied to snake bites[3] and external inflammations[4].
- Product or use
- Appetizer
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Poultice
- Product or use
- Tonic
Environment
- Range
- South-eastern N. America.
- Habitat
- Dry stony soils on prairies and open forest glades[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a greenhouse[2]. Sow stored seed as soon as possible in the year in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow the plants on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring[1]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring. Basal cuttings taken in spring as growth commences. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Cultivation
Grows well in a moderately good light soil[2].Tolerates poor soils[2]. Plants are prone to rot overwinter in wet soils[2]. There are several named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[2]. A good bee plant. Rodents are very fond of the tubers so the plants may require some protection[2].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202