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Liatris spicata
  • Gayfeather

a perennial member of the Liatris genus in the family Compositae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Liatris spicata has 0 material uses listed
Liatris spicata has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Liatris spicata.

Material uses

The aromatic leaves and roots are added to pot-pourri[1]. The leaves and the roots are added to various insect-repellent herbal mixtures[1].

Unknown part

Pot-pourri
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves and root are anodyne, antibacterial, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant and tonic[2][3][4][1][5]. The plant is said to be extremely efficacious when used as a local application in the treatment of sore throats and gonorrhoea[2]. It is also used in treating kidney diseases[1]. The leaves are harvested in the summer, the roots in the autumn. Both can be used fresh or dried[1].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Antibacterial
Astringent
Carminative
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Emmenagogue
Expectorant
Stimulant
Tonic
VD

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a greenhouse[6]. 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[7]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Liatris spicata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Grows well in a moderately good light soil[7]. Requires a moist to wet position[7][6][1]. Established plants are very drought tolerant so long as there is plenty of humus in the soil[8]. Prefers a sunny position[9] but succeeds in shade[10].

Plants are hardy to about -25°c[11]. The plant has an agreeable odour, due to the presence of coumarins[2]. A good bee plant[7].

Rodents are very fond of the tubers so the plants may require some protection[6]. Slugs are fond of the young shoots in spring[1].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Liatris spicata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Liatris spicata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Liatris spicata
Genus
Liatris
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[2][3][4][1][5]
Material uses & Functions
[1]
Botanic
[12][6]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
0.6 x 0.3 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Bees
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

"image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.61.71.8 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  8. ? Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent ISBN 0460045512 (1982-00-00)
  9. ? International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. (1981-00-00)
  10. ? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
  11. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
  12. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)

"image:Liatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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Facts about "Liatris spicata"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyCompositae +
Belongs to genusLiatris +
Has common nameGayfeather +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has environmental toleranceDrought +
Has fertility typeBee +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone3 +
Has imageLiatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material usePot-pourri + and Repellent +
Has mature height0.6 +
Has mature width0.3 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Antibacterial +, Astringent +, Carminative +, Diaphoretic +, Diuretic +, Emmenagogue +, Expectorant +, Stimulant +, Tonic + and VD +
Has primary imageLiatris spicata IMG 5624.JPG +
Has search nameliatris spicata + and x +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameLiatris spicata +
Has water requirementshigh +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +