Monday, July 27, 2009

Liatris pycnostachya

I got the chance at Fisher Oak Savanna to see several Liatris species side-by-side. It was helpful to see the difference in the involucral bracts. Liatris spicata has appressed involucral bracts (right), while those of Liatris pycnostachya are reflexed (left).
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3 comments:

  1. Keith BoardJuly 27, 2009 at 8:21 AM

    Good to know. Thanks Ben!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bradford SlaughterJuly 30, 2009 at 1:53 PM

    I find that the most useful characteristic in the key is that L. spicata occurs in Michigan, whereas L. pycnostachya does not.

    ReplyDelete
  3. benAugust 1, 2009 at 1:24 PM

    Brad, that is one of my favorite ways to differentiate plant species.

    ReplyDelete