Bio227-6: Rarer Than Meteorite - Heller's Blazing Star

Rarer Than Meteorite

Heller's Blazing Star

Xian Chris Li

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Brief Overview

Scientific Name: Liatris Helleri

Other Common Names: Heller’s Gayfeather

Found In: Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina (Endemic)

Type: Perennial Herb, Purple Inflorescence

Bloom: July through September

Fruit: August through October

Lifespan: 15 – 34 years (estimated)

Status: Threatened Species, Southeast Region

Listing Date: November 19^th, 1987

RecoveryPlan: 1987, Revised 2000

Ecology of Heller’s Blazing Star

Heller’s Blazing Star, scientifically known as the Liatris Helleri, is a rare, flowering plant that is native to the Blue Ridge Mountains. How rare, you ask? So rare, in fact, that there are only 8 documented populations currently, with one of the documented sites containing less than a doze individuals. Through monitoring the flower populations, it has been noted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that three of the sites have been undergoing decline in recent years.

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The Blazing Star’s rarity is rivaled only by the beauty of its flower. Being a flowering perennial, hikers in the mountain range from the months of July through November may catch a glimpse of purple flowers. Its natural habitat consists of rock outcrops, ledges, and other generally volcanic or sedimentary rock formations at elevations of 3500 feet to 6000 feet. The plant’s seedlings are transported largely by wind, germinating only when coming into contact with a suitable growing environment.

Threats to Existence

The inherent rarity of the species make its hard to research and document, and as a result, there is very little known scientific information available. In addition to its rare natural occurrence, there are several factors which challenge the existence of Heller’s Blazing Star.

Unlikely Pollination: Research has shown that ‘at very low densities...populations attracted few bees and only few plants were visit’ (Schaal); thus, the low numbers of individuals in each of the Heller Blazing Star’s populations (some have less than a dozen!) make it less likely for bees and other insects to pollinate

Acid Precipitation: Acid precipitation at such altitudes is possible due to atmospheric pollution

Ecological Succession: As the Liatris helleri is a pioneer species, it is not capable of surviving the complex structural development, or succession, of the surrounding ecological community.

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Human Threats: Though hard to find, this species is susceptible to human interaction, such as being stepped on by hikers and adventurer on the mountain range.

Commercial Developments: Of the eight existing populations, three of the sites are privately owned and thus faces the possibility that a project (such as residential or commercial developments) may overrun its habitat. There exist already two cases where sites that previous hosted the Liatris helleri have been into development.

Recovery Plan

The recovery plan for Liatris helleri was first began on November 19^th of 1987, and is now in its final revision form, most recently published on January 28^th of 2000. The plan can be summarized into several key objectives:

the existing populations must be protected, and a new, self-sustaining population must be either found or introduce, creating a total of nine populations
actions must be taken by private and public landowners so that the survival of the species is ensured; there is an ongoing dialogue between the USFWS and the private owners of the 3 existing populations
the nine populations must continue to be protected from the aforementioned threats to its survival

As the Heller’s Blazing Star is a rare species that has only recently been discovered and listed, more research also must be conducted to understand its biological characteristics and behaviour, to better inform future decision made in its management.