Dense Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)

Dense gayfeather or marsh blazing star is an erect, slender perennial reaching a height of 3-6 ft. The linear, grass-like leaves are clumped toward the base of the plant, but extend up the stem to the showy flower cluster. A tall spike of rayless, rose-purple (sometimes white), closely set flower heads. The purple, tufted flower heads are arranged in a long, dense spike blooming from the top down.

The species name describes the elongated inflorescence, with its crowded, stalkless flower heads. The protruding styles give the flower an overall feathery appearance, hence its alternate name, Dense Gayfeather.

It has reputed value in herbal medicine for soothing sore throats and for treating gonorrhea and other venereal diseases.

Also in the picture is Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) and in the second picture a moth Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis).