What you can do to helpDense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata) is alsoknown as Spiked Blazing Star. It is a stunningperennial herb with spear-like clusters or spikesof purple or white flowers. Several other nativeand non-native species of Blazing Star (RoughBlazing Star – L. aspera, Slender Blazing Star –L. cylindracea, and non-native Prairie BlazingStar – L. pycnostachya) look similar but can bedistinguished by the scales at the base of theflower heads. These scales have rounded tips inDense Blazing Star, pointed out-turned tips inRough Blazing Star, and thin, see-throughmargins in Prairie Blazing Star. The flowers ofSlender Blazing Star are not grouped on avertical spike as found in Dense Blazing Star.

Field check Height: up to 2 m Leaves: narrow, long, lower leaves

10-40 cm long and 0.5-2 cm wide,leaves get smaller toward the top ofthe stem, arranged spirally

Flowers: August; 1 cm wide; purple orwhite; dense clusters on spike; scalesat base of flowers have rounded tips

Stem: smooth

Do you live near Dense BlazingStar?In Canada, Dense Blazing Star occurs only insouthwestern Ontario. Dense Blazing Starprefers open habitats such as moist prairies,savannahs, dune swales, ditches andabandoned fields, utility and rail corridors. Itdoes well in coarse sands or sandy loam soilsthat are moist in spring but very dry in summer.Such habitats may have developed as a resultof past disturbances (e.g. fire, flooding, droughtor overgrazing) or may be small left-overpatches of ancient prairies that have nowbecome farms and residential areas.

Saving Dense Blazing Star:

What you can do to help Learn to identify this plant. If you are lucky

enough to discover a new population ofDense Blazing Star, be sure to report it to theOntario Ministry of Natural Resources or theNatural Heritage Information Centre.

Do not collect this plant or its parts formedicinal, ornamental or any other uses.

Stay on designated trails to avoid tramplingDense Blazing Star when you visit naturalareas or use your off-road vehicle.

Dense Blazing Star attracts hummingbirds,songbirds, bees, butterflies and beetles toyour garden or natural area.

Did you know?

.Photo: J. Bowles

Landscape with native plant species fromlocal seed-stock supplied by a reputablegarden centre. Dense Blazing Star sold ingarden centres is often a hybrid varietycrossed with non-native Liatris species. Donot buy non-native varieties of Blazing Star.Non-native varieties such as Prairie BlazingStar compete for habitat and crossbreed withDense Blazing Star.

Assistance for this projectwas provided by theGovernment of Ontario

Good sources of informationCarolinian Canada Coalition:www.carolinian.orgOntario Ministry of Natural Resources:Includes information about Ontario Species at Riskwww.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Natural Heritage Information Centrehttp://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/Find your local Conservation Authority Office:www.conservationontario.caGovernment of Canada Species at Risk PublicRegistry:www.sararegistry.gc.caFind your local Stewardship Council:www.ontariostewardship.orgOntario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and RuralAffairswww.omafra.gov.on.ca/Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement AssociationIncludes information about the Environmental FarmPlanontariosoilcrop.org

StatusDense Blazing Star is listed as threatenednationally and provincially. It is illegal to kill,harm or collect this tree, or to destroy itshabitat.Carolinian Canada Coalition is working withlocal Ontario Ministry of Natural ResourcesOffices, Conservation Authorities and otherNon-Governmental Organizations to recoverSpecies at Risk.You can help the recovery efforts by protectingthis species and its habitat.

More Best Stewardship Practices Keep your pets on a leash when you walk

them in natural areas, as pets can transportinvasive plant seeds if they get stuck in thepet's hair.

Learn to identify invasive species. Yourlocal Conservation Authority or OntarioMinistry of Natural Resources Office canprovide you with information on invasivespecies that occur in your area and what youcan do to help prevent their spread.

Avoid dumping waste of any kind innatural areas. Garbage damages plants,pollutes the environment and may introduceinvasive species.

Maintain a naturally-vegetated bufferbetween Dense Blazing Star and areas youuse herbicides. Chemicals contained in theherbicides may be harmful to this plant.

Learn about stewardship activities in yourarea and actively participate in protectingSpecies at Risk. To find more informationabout stewardship activities in your area,contact your local Stewardship Council orConservation Authority.

Take advantage of the EnvironmentalFarm Plan program. To learn more contactthe Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources orthe Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food andRural Affairs.

If you have Species at Risk on yourproperty, you may be eligible for stewardshipprograms or financial incentives that supportthe protection and recovery of Species atRisk and their habitats. Contact the OntarioMinistry of Natural Resources for moreinformation.

Report any illegal activity related to plantsand wildlife to 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667)

Saving Dense Blazing Star

EnvironmentCanada

EnvironnementCanada