by DaySounds © 2013-15
Dotted Blazing Star/Dotted Gayfeather (Liatris punctata)
It is a diuretic. Externally, it can be used as an antiseptic poultice. The entire plant is
edible. The flowers can be bluish-purple or white. Believe it or not, it is a part of the
sunflower/aster family (asteraceae).
The species spicata can be easily confused with punctata. The former has a round end
made by a bundle of flowers forming like a semicircle at the top of the "spike," while the
latter doesn't. Also, the name "punctata" or "dotted" indicates the small dark dots on the
upper leaves, which are "hairy" around the edges but not on their tops or undersides. In
addition to that, spicata doesn't usually grow in Colorado.
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