Liatris spicata, commonly known as Dense Blazing Star or Prairie Gay Feather, is an herbaceous, perennial plant in the Asteraceae family, native to moist prairies and sedge meadows throughout most of eastern North America. It is commonly grown in gardens for its showy spikes of purple flowers which appear during summer to autumn. It thrives in full sun in ordinary garden soil and is an ideal bedding plant or mixed border plant. This species is an excellent choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your garden.