Cahaba Torch

Liatris oligocephala is known only from Bibb County.

Plants (12–)25–48(–55) cm. Corms subglobose to depressed hemispheric. Stems glabrous. Leaves: basal scalelike (usually withering before flowering), cauline 1-nerved, mostly linear, 12–20(–230) × 1.2–3(–4.5) mm, gradually reduced beyond midstem, essentially glabrous (margins ciliate). Heads borne singly or (2–10) in subcorymbiform arrays. Peduncles (5–)12–40 mm. Involucres campanulate-turbinate, 10–19(–23) × (8–)10–17(–21) mm. Phyllaries in ± 3–4 series, (green or purple) lanceolate to linear-oblong, unequal, essentially glabrous or sparsely pilose, margins with or without hyaline borders, ciliate, apices long- to short-acuminate. Florets (11–)14–21(–25); corolla tubes glabrous inside. Cypselae (3.5–)5–7 mm (glabrous); pappi: lengths ± ¹/2–²/3 corollas, bristles barbellate.