Heller's Blazing Star

Heller’s blazing star was placed on the Federal threatened and endangered species list in 1987 as threatened. There are eleven known populations in the world, all occurring in western North Carolina. 

In total, there are eleven known populations in existence, eight of those on land managed for conservation. Although most populations are on conserved lands, the species still faces threats. Heller’s blazing star is thought to be fire-adapted, with the suppression of natural fire contributing to its imperilment. Occurring in natural areas with high visitation, trampling is also a threat, and, unfortunately, several populations seem to have suffered poaching.

There have been efforts to augment populations with individuals grown from seeds collected on-site, though the contribution of these efforts to the plant’s recovery is inconclusive. The taxonomy of this genus is complex and sometimes complicated by natural hybridization where new plants arise from parent plants of different species.  Heller’s Blazingstar (Liatris helleri) is suspected of hybridizing with the closely related species Liatris turgida (Turgid blazingstar).

Heller’s blazing star is one of about 40 species in the genus Liatris, with some species used as ornamental flowers and in flower bouquets due to their showy bottlebrush style flowers.

Habitat

Throughout its limited range, L. helleri occurs at mid- to high elevations (3,500 to 6,000 feet), typically associated with sparsely vegetated rock formations located on outcrops, cliffs, or ledges. These rocks are typically igneous (volcanic) and metasedimentary, with shallow, acidic soils

Physical characteristics

Heller’s blazingstar is a perennial plant the grows from an underground stem 2-5 cm across.  The base of the plant is comprised of narrow pale green leaves.  Out of this one or more erect or arching stems reach a height of 0.4 meters and are topped by a showy spike of lavender flowers.

Geography

The species is endemic to higher elevations in Burke, Avery, Caldwell, Watauga and Ashe Counties in North Carolina.  In Burke County it is known at Shortoff Mountain, The Chimneys, Table Rock Mountain, and Hawksbill Mountain.  In Avery County it is known at Long Ridge, Big Lost Cove Cliffs, Grandfather Mountain, Peak Mountain, Hanging Rock, Beech Mountain.  In Watauga County is known at Grandfather Mountain.  In Caldwell County it is known at Blowing Rock.  In Ashe County it is known at Bluff Mountain, Paddy Mountain, and Three top Mountain.

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999. Recovery Plan for Liatris helleri Porter (Heller’s Blazing Star). First Revision. Atlanta, GA. 25 pp.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2020. Heller’s Blazing Star Five-Year Review. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Asheville, North Carolina. 51 pp.