Liatris helleri
Encyclopedia
Liatris helleri is a rare species of flowering plant
in the aster family
known by the common names Heller's blazing star and Heller's gayfeather. It is endemic to North Carolina
in the United States
, where it occurs only in the Blue Ridge Mountains
. It is threatened by recreational activities in its habitat, and is federally listed as a threatened species
.
Liatris helleri is a perennial herb growing up to about half a meter in maximum height from a spherical corm
. The leaves are variable in shape, from linear to lance-shaped, and measure 5 to 22 centimeters in length, the largest ones at the base and much smaller ones higher on the stem. The inflorescence
is a spike-like flower head
. The flowers have purplish bell-shaped involucres
containing lighter purple corollas. Blooming occurs in July through September. The fruit is an achene
with a pappus
of varying lengths, but generally shorter than those of other Liatris.
A 2005 study expanded the species description of Liatris helleri to include plants with certain similarities. Populations of plants growing in West Virginia
and Virginia
previously included in other Liatris species might now be included within the circumscription
of L. helleri. In that case it would be less rare and no longer a true North Carolina endemic.
This plant was added to the endangered species list with a threatened status in 1987. It was only known to grow on cliffs on the summits of the northern Blue Ridge Mountains. These areas were heavily used for recreational activities such as hiking
and skiing
or were in danger of being altered during the development of recreational facilities and utilities such as parking lot
s and bridge
s. There were only seven populations, with an eighth discovered by 2000. The estimated global total population is only 3000 individuals, although more have been grown in greenhouse
s for planting in appropriate habitats.
Flowering plant
The flowering plants , also known as Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta, are the most diverse group of land plants. Angiosperms are seed-producing plants like the gymnosperms and can be distinguished from the gymnosperms by a series of synapomorphies...
in the aster family
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
known by the common names Heller's blazing star and Heller's gayfeather. It is endemic to North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where it occurs only in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
. It is threatened by recreational activities in its habitat, and is federally listed as a threatened species
Threatened species
Threatened species are any speciesg animals, plants, fungi, etc.) which are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future.The World Conservation Union is the foremost authority on threatened species, and treats threatened species not as a single category, but as a group of three categories,...
.
Liatris helleri is a perennial herb growing up to about half a meter in maximum height from a spherical corm
Corm
A corm is a short, vertical, swollen underground plant stem that serves as a storage organ used by some plants to survive winter or other adverse conditions such as summer drought and heat ....
. The leaves are variable in shape, from linear to lance-shaped, and measure 5 to 22 centimeters in length, the largest ones at the base and much smaller ones higher on the stem. The inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
is a spike-like flower head
Head (botany)
The capitulum is considered the most derived form of inflorescence. Flower heads found outside Asteraceae show lesser degrees of specialization....
. The flowers have purplish bell-shaped involucres
Bract
In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis, or cone scale. Bracts are often different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of a different color, shape, or texture...
containing lighter purple corollas. Blooming occurs in July through September. The fruit is an achene
Achene
An achene is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate and indehiscent...
with a pappus
Pappus (flower structure)
The pappus is the modified calyx, the part of an individual disk, ray or ligule floret surrounding the base of the corolla, in flower heads of the plant family Asteraceae. The pappus may be composed of bristles , awns, scales, or may be absent. In some species, the pappus is too small to see...
of varying lengths, but generally shorter than those of other Liatris.
A 2005 study expanded the species description of Liatris helleri to include plants with certain similarities. Populations of plants growing in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
and Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
previously included in other Liatris species might now be included within the circumscription
Circumscription (taxonomy)
In taxonomy, circumscription is the definition of the limits of a taxonomic group of organisms. One goal of taxonomy is to achieve a stable circumscription for every taxonomic group. Achieving stability can be simple or difficult....
of L. helleri. In that case it would be less rare and no longer a true North Carolina endemic.
This plant was added to the endangered species list with a threatened status in 1987. It was only known to grow on cliffs on the summits of the northern Blue Ridge Mountains. These areas were heavily used for recreational activities such as hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
or were in danger of being altered during the development of recreational facilities and utilities such as parking lot
Parking lot
A parking lot , also known as car lot, is a cleared area that is intended for parking vehicles. Usually, the term refers to a dedicated area that has been provided with a durable or semi-durable surface....
s and bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
s. There were only seven populations, with an eighth discovered by 2000. The estimated global total population is only 3000 individuals, although more have been grown in greenhouse
Greenhouse
A greenhouse is a building in which plants are grown. These structures range in size from small sheds to very large buildings...
s for planting in appropriate habitats.