Northern gayfeather

Serratula scariosa Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 818. 1753; Lacinaria scariosa (Linnaeus) Hill

Plants 30–150 cm. Corms sub-globose. Stems puberulent (at least distally, sometimes glabrous proximally). Leaves: basal and proximal cauline 1-nerved, elliptic- to oblanceolate-spatulate, 120–300 × 25–50(–55) mm, abruptly, gradually, or little reduced distally, essentially glabrous, weakly, if at all, gland-dotted. Heads in racemiform arrays. Peduncles usually (ascending) 10–50 mm. Involucres campanulate to turbinate-campanulate, 11–15 × (12–)15–22(–25) mm. Phyllaries in (3–)4–5 series, (erect or outer sometimes spreading-reflexing) oblong-obovate to broadly obovate (not bullate), unequal, glabrous or minutely puberulent, margins usually with relatively narrow, hyaline borders, apices broadly rounded. Florets 19–80; corolla tubes usually pilose inside, sometimes glabrous (Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri). Cypselae 4.5–6(–6.5) mm; pappi: lengths ± equaling corollas, bristles barbellate.

Varieties 3 (3 in the flora): United States.