Liatris tenuifolia

Liatris tenuifolia, also known as the shortleaf gayfeather, is a species of the genus Liatris endemic to parts of the Southeast United States.

Liatris tenuifolia
Flowers of Liatris tenuifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Liatris
Species:	L. tenuifolia
Binomial name
Liatris tenuifolia Nutt.

The flower blooms in mid to late fall and is dormant in the winter. It is lavender in color.^[1]

In spring, it begins to produce needle like leaves.^[2] L. tenuifolia has basal leaves ranging from four to ten inches (10 to 25 cm) long.^[1] L. tenuifolia var. quadriflora, sometimes split into Liatris laevigata, can be distinguished by its broad basal leaves.^[1] The stalk of the plant is two to five feet (0.61 to 1.52 m) tall.^[3]

Liatris tenuifolia inhabits oak woods, sand hills and dunes, longleaf pine savannas, and along roadsides.^[4] The species is native to the states of Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia.^[5] The plant grows in sand.^[6]