This deep-rooted, erect native perennial grows 1-4 feet tall. Narrow, alternate leaves with rounded tips are largest at the base (F). Alternate flower heads 1 inch in diameter have 16-35 rose-purple disk florets with protruding branched styles (B). The flower heads have distinct spaces between them and are enclosed in a cup-like series of purplish, rounded bracts (B,D).
Grows in drier upland prairie sites, flowering in August and September. The emerging flower buds are shown in (C,D). At Neale Woods, Rough Gayfeather is rare in the Knull and Jonas Prairie restorations.
Grows in drier upland prairie sites, flowering in August and September. The emerging flower buds are shown in (C,D). At Neale Woods, Rough Gayfeather is rare in the Knull and Jonas Prairie restorations.