On 8/17 there was a very interesting Driftless Area Bio Blitz organized by Justin Nooker and Laurie Arzaga at Holland Sand Prairie focused on insects. Many of those attending admired the overwhelming presence of rough blazing star, and it was clear that this plant deserved to be highlighted as the plant of the week for a second week in a row. The plant added a stunning display of beauty with its purple-pink blooms attracting a multitude of insects that were feasting on its nectar. Nevertheless, amidst the sea of pink, there was one outlier with white blossoms:
References state that this plant may sometimes bear white flowers, but this was the first time I have observed it on a remnant prairie. What a delightful surprise!
As mentioned, there were several insects seen on the blazing star, including this Common Eastern Bumblebee:
Or, as one young budding ecologist said, "Just a Bombus impatiens!"
Here is a poor photo of a monarch perched on blazing star:
Many other insects as well as mammals use this plant for food, including humans who consumed its corms when other food was scarce. Here is a reference from Illinois Wildflowers for more information: http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/rgh_blazingstarx.htm
Last here is a quiz for readers. The following photo shows a petite butterfly on Cylindric Blazing Star, Liatris cylindracea, which also grows on Holland Sand Prairie. This butterfly was documented for the first time about one year ago in Wisconsin. The photo shown, however, was taken in Missouri in 2022 where it is much more common. Maybe you can be the second to spot it in Wisconsin as its range creeps north with the changing climate! What is the name of this butterfly?
Please leave your answers in the comments.
Both rough and cylindric blazing star are quite resilient plants that thrive in sandy, arid soils like those found on Holland Sand Prairie and the bluff prairies we explore in Hixon, but have rather short blooming seasons. So, enjoy them while they last!
If you would like to be on our volunteer list for work events, please contact us through our website- friendsoftheblufflands.org. Thank you!
I cheated on the skipper so I’ll refrain from answering. Privately owned Brownsville Bluff prairie has a lone white Liatris aspera this year too!
One skipper I believe should be present on our local prairies, that seems to prefer blazing star’s nectar, is Leonard skipper. Leo flight is happening now - can we find them? :).
Thank you, FBL, for all the great education, management, and protection of our special places.