Liatris spicata
Gayfeather
a perennial member of the Liatris genus in the family Compositae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Liatris
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Spread
- 0.3 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Although we have no records of toxicity for this plant, one record says that the leaves contain coumarins. These have an anti-clotting effect on the blood and can prevent natural clotting of the blood when there is a cut[K].
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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves and root are anodyne, antibacterial, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant and tonic[11][8][2][9][10]. The plant is said to be extremely efficacious when used as a local application in the treatment of sore throats and gonorrhoea[11]. It is also used in treating kidney diseases[9]. The leaves are harvested in the summer, the roots in the autumn. Both can be used fresh or dried[9].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Stimulant
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- VD
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The aromatic leaves and roots are added to pot-pourri[9]. The leaves and the roots are added to various insect-repellent herbal mixtures[9].
- Product or use
- Pot-pourri
- Product or use
- Repellent
Environment
- Range
- Eastern N. America - Pennsylvania and New Jersey to Wisconsin, south to Florida and Louisiana.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a greenhouse[7]. 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
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Grows well in a moderately good light soil[1]. Requires a moist to wet position[1][7][9]. Established plants are very drought tolerant so long as there is plenty of humus in the soil[6]. Prefers a sunny position[3] but succeeds in shade[4]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[5]. The plant has an agreeable odour, due to the presence of coumarins[11]. A good bee plant[1]. Rodents are very fond of the tubers so the plants may require some protection[7]. Slugs are fond of the young shoots in spring[9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x
International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
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
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00