Alternate name: Dense Gayfeather, Marsh Blazing Star

Family: Asteraceae, Aster view all from this family

Description A tall spike of rayless, rose-purple (sometimes white), closely set flower heads.
Flowers: Head 1/4" (6 mm) wide, stalkless; long styles protruding beyond corolla lobes; bracts thin, scale-like, blunt, with purple edges; spike at least 1' (30 cm) long.
Leaves: Numerous, linear, crowded; those at base at least 1' (30 cm) long, upper ones progressively smaller.
Height: 1-6' (30-180 cm).

Flower July-September.

Habitat Moist low ground in meadows and prairies.

Range Ontario and Quebec south through New York and Massachusetts to Florida, west to Louisiana, and north to Illinois and Wisconsin.

Discussion The species name describes the elongated inflorescence, with its crowded, stalkless flower heads. The protruding styles give the flower an overall feathery appearance, hence its alternate name, Dense Gayfeather.