Liatris helleri

Liatris helleri is a species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae known by the common names Heller's blazing star and Heller's gayfeather. It is native to the Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States, found in the states of North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. It is threatened by recreational activities in its habitat, and is federally listed as a threatened species. Liatris helleri is a perennial herb which grows up to about half a meter (20 inches) in height from a spherical corm. The leaves are variable in shape, from linear to lance-shaped, and about 5 to 22 centimetres (2.0 to 8.7 in) in length, with the largest ones located at the base and much smaller ones higher on the stem. The inflorescence is a spike-like array of numerous flower heads. The flower heads have purplish bell-shaped involucres containing 7–13(–17 lighter purple disc flowers but no ray flowers. Blooming occurs from July to September. The fruit is an achene with a pappus o......read more on Wikipedia.