Liatris cylindracea Michx.

Stems and leaves of Liatris cylindracea sometimes are hairy (Kentucky, Missouri), perhaps reflecting genetic influence from L. hirsuta. See also discussion under 1. L. compacta.

Plants 20–60 cm. Corms usually globose, rarely elongate. Stems glabrous. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline 3(–5)-nerved, linear-oblanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 80–250 × 2–6 mm (largest usually distal to proximalmost), gradually reduced distally, essentially glabrous (proximal margins pilose-ciliate). Heads borne singly or (2–28) in loose to dense, racemiform to spiciform arrays. Peduncles 0 or (spreading-ascending) 2–10(–20) mm. Involucres cylindro-campanulate, (11–)13–18 × 6–8 mm. Phyllaries in 5–7 series, ovate-triangular (outer) to broadly oblong or spatulate-oblong, strongly unequal, essentially glabrous, margins usually with narrow hyaline borders, ciliolate, apices broadly rounded, rounded-acuminate, or truncate (inner stiffly mucronate). Florets 10–35; corolla tubes glabrous inside (lobes adaxially hispid). Cypselae 5–7 mm; pappi: lengths ± equaling corollas, bristles plumose.

Lacinaria cylindracea (Michaux) Kuntze; Liatris intermedia Lindley; L. squarrosa (Linnaeus) Michaux var. intermedia (Lindley) de Candolle