Wildflower Wednesday

This week's Wildflower Wednesday featured flower is Meadow Blazing star.

Meadow Blazing Star is one of many Blazing Star species native to WI. Preferring full sun and dry soil, they are often found in prairies blooming August – September. Their flowers are unusual in that they bloom from the top down and they have clusters of many small florets on single head.

It is a favorite of pollinators including monarch butterflies and are a fall food source for birds.

There are rumors that Native Americans would chew the corm (root) and blow it into the nostrils of their horses to keep them from getting out of breath. (please don't try this!)

In the language of flowers, it symbolizes joy, happiness and bliss and was often gifted to a romantic partner to evoke these feelings.