Flower:

Flowers are in a spike cluster 6 to 18 inches long of purple to pinkish flower heads. Each flower head is about 1 inch across and made up of 25 to 40 star-shaped disk flowers with a long stringy style emerging from the center. The flower heads may be stalked but tend to be stalkless. Flowers bloom from the top of the plant down.

The bracts are rounded; the edges fold inward and have jagged edges. The bract color is green or tinged with purple.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are narrow and blade-like with a prominent central vein and pointed tip, becoming progressively smaller as they ascend the stem. Leaves at the base of the plant are up to 12 inches long, less grass-like in shape and have long leaf stems; those farther up the plant have no leaf stem and average about 3 inches long. Leaves have a rough texture from short stiff hairs. Attachment is alternate, but are crowded on the stem so may appear to be whorled. The main stem is ridged and is also rough from short stiff hairs, but may become smooth with age. Stem color is green or dark red.

Notes:

There are multiple species of Blazing Star native to Minnesota and the easiest way to tell them apart is by the bracts. Rough Blazing Star has round bracts with fringed edges that curl or fold in.

Blazing Star has a special nectar that Monarch Butterflies must feed on before migrating to Mexico for the winter. Without this nectar, they may not survive the trip.