This deep-rooted, erect native perennial grows 1-3 feet tall. The stem and narrow leaves are covered with short, stiff hairs and feel rough to the touch (E). Stalked, narrow leaves are largest and most numerous at the base becoming smaller, more widely spaced and stalkless above. The developing button-like flower buds have distinct spaces between them (A) and are enclosed in a cup-like series of green or purplish bracts with round, often fringed margins (B,C). The bracts open to reveal a 1″ flower cluster consisting of 15-35 pink to purple, star-shaped disk florets with stringy protruding styles (B). As in other Liatris species, flowering begins at the top of the spike proceeding downward as it matures (A). Tufts of light brown hairs attached to the small seed enable its dispersal by the wind.

The distinctive round, often fringed bracts and stalkless flower heads separate this plant from other Liatris species.