Great Blazing Star

From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:

Beautiful great (or prairie) blazing star at the Morris Wetland Management District in Minnesota responded well to a recent prescribed burn conducted this spring on the Krantz Lake Waterfowl Production Area.http://1.usa.gov/1psoM9F

Well over 100 species of grasses and wildflowers can be found in the prairies of the WMD. And the best time to view wildflowers in a prairie is during the year following a prescribed burn – the plants are at their most lush and showy then.

Blazing stars are unique and beautiful wildflowers. There are five different species of blazing star in Minnesota. They are well known for their colorful, feathery flower heads which are densely clustered on stems covered with slender, grass-like leaves.

Photo: Great blazing star. (J.B. Bright/USFWS)