|
Forest openings, roadsides, and sunny spots in pine plantations
are the likely spot to find this slender native wildflower. Over
twenty different species can be found in the Southeast, but all
have arching stems of small flowers in late summer and fall.
The flowers are pink, purple, or white, with frilly petals. Because
of this feathery look, the plant is sometimes called gayfeather.
It is also known by several other common names, including devil's
bite, snake root and snake button, since Native Americans relied
on the roots and leaves of the plant to cure snake bites. Blazingstar has also been used to make a warm drink to ease sore throats and as a diuretic. Parts of the dried plants are steamed to make a liquid that is said to be an effective repellant of moths, while the live, flowering plant attracts many butterflies and bees. The feathery seeds are dispersed by wind and animals (mostly songbirds) from November to January. They are a favorite food of finches and juncos. Blazingstar grows mostly in the coastal plain from Alabama to Florida and north to New Jersey and southern Ontario. |
|