Liatris gholsonii
Liatris lancifolia
bluffs gayfeather, Gholson's blazing star, Gholson's gayfeather
Great Plains gayfeather, lanceleaf blazing star
finely puberulent.
glabrous.
basal and proximal cauline 1-nerved, spatulate (petioles slender, blades elliptic to lanceolate-elliptic), (100–)150–250 × (8–)11–22(–27) mm, gradually reduced distally, essentially glabrous, gland-dotted.
basal and lower cauline 3–5-nerved, narrowly oblong-lanceolate to narrowly spatulate-oblanceolate, 60–180(–330) × 6–12(–15) mm (usually becoming more densely arranged distally), abruptly reduced near midstem (continuing densely to immediately proximal to heads), essentially glabrous, gland-dotted (bases of basal often fibrous-persistent).
(spreading-ascending) (2–)5–12(–26) mm (with bracts 2+ mm wide, grading from distal leaves).
0.
cylindro-turbinate, 4–5 × 2.5–3 mm.
turbinate-cylindric to turbinate-campanulate, 7–9 × 4–7 mm.
3–5(–6);
corolla tubes pilose inside.
5–8(–12);
corolla tubes glabrous inside.
in 3(–4) series, ovate to oblong, strongly to weakly unequal, essentially glabrous, margins with hyaline borders, ciliolate, apices (at least outer) acuminate to acute.
in 3–4 series, ovate to oblong, unequal, glabrous, margins with hyaline borders, sometimes ciliolate, apices rounded to obtuse.
in loose, racemiform arrays.
in dense, spiciform arrays.
3.5–5 mm;
pappi: lengths ± equaling corollas, bristles barbellate.
4–4.5 mm;
pappi: lengths ± equaling corollas, bristles barbellate.
globose.
globose.
= 20.
= 20.
Liatris gholsonii
Liatris lancifolia
Of conservation concern.
Liatris gholsonii is closely similar to L. gracilis; it apparently is restricted to an area along the Apalachicola River in Liberty and Leon counties.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
The abrupt size reduction of cauline leaves in Liatris lancifolia is similar to that of L. spicata var. resinosa; the long, dense spikes and wider basal leaves are more like those of L. spicata var. spicata. Little differentiation exists between L. lancifolia and L. spicata, but L. lancifolia is maintained here at specific rank, coordinate with L. spicata, primarily because of its wide geographic disjunction and generally different habitat. Recognition that the two elements within L. spicata have a nearly analogous relationship of range and habitat might provide rationale for treating all three of these closely similar taxa at equivalent rank. Liatris lancifolia is expected in Oklahoma.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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