Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

savanna gayfeather

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Liatris savannensis

Family:

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

2.5 to 4.25 ft.  Basal leaves spread to about 1 ft but often not present at fowering.

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

rose, purple

Fruit Color:

white

Phenology:

Winter dormant with basal rosette obvious spring-summer. Blooms in fall.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wildflower garden.

Considerations:

Sometimes the flower stalks are too tall and heavy to stand. Can be cut back mid-summer to reduce height. In a large garden, the twisted fallen stalks can be an interesting feature. Could also be staked.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Seed. Easily grown. 

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Acidic to neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies

Attracts butterflies and bees.

Native Habitats:

Flatwoods.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Endemic to western peninsular Florida from Tampa south to Charlotte County.