Hairy chaffhead

Chrysocoma paniculata J. F. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. 2: 1204. 1792; Liatris paniculata (J. F. Gmelin) Michaux; Trilisa paniculata (J. F. Gmelin) Cassini

Plants (30–)50–120(–180) cm. Stems densely and coarsely villoso-hirsute, eglandular. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic, mostly 5–35 cm, margins plane; cauline much reduced, faces not gland-dotted. Heads in thyrsiform (often ± columnar) arrays. Peduncles stipitate-glandular (each with a subtending bract). Involucres (3.5–)4–6 mm. Phyllaries 5–12 in 1–2(–3) series, oblanceolate, gland-dotted or stipitate-glandular (sometimes with eglandular, biseriate hairs as well), apices acute to obtuse. Receptacles epaleate or partially paleate (paleae 1–2). Corollas glandular, lobes 1–1.5 mm. Cypselae eglandular; pappus bristles in ± 1 series. 2n = 20.

Flowering (Aug–)Sep–Dec(–Jan). Moist or wet, low ground, wet prairies or savannas, swamp margins, pine, pine-palmetto, and palmetto flats; 0–50 m; Ala., Fla., Ga., N.C., S.C.