It’s time for blazing-star again

On September 7th I was driving in northeast Austin on the way to the house of some friends when for the first time this year I spotted a flowering Liatris mucronata, known as gayfeather and blazing-star. The next day I went to a part of the Blackland Prairie a mile from the previous afternoon’s sighting (but with an easier place to park) and spent a good while photographing plants of this species. What you’re seeing here is the top of a spike that was two to three times as tall as this flowering part. Note the opening buds near the bottom of the picture; this is apparently a plant whose buds open from the top down.

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I’m leaving for vacation today but I won’t be leaving you without pictures while I’m gone. That said, please understand if I’m slow to reply to comments in the days ahead.

© 2014 Steven Schwartzman