Liatris microcephala K.Schum.

Plants 30–80 cm. Corms globose (fibrous roots often densely covering whole structure). Stems glabrous. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline 1-nerved, linear to linear-lanceolate, 80–200 × 1–3(–4, –6) mm, gradually reduced or abruptly reduced on distal 1/2 of stems, essentially glabrous. Heads in loose to dense, spiciform arrays (internodes to 8 mm). Peduncles 0 or (ascending) 1–12 mm. Involucres turbinate-cylindric, 5–7(–9) × 3–4 mm. Phyllaries in 3–4 series, oblong to oblong-obovate, strongly unequal, essentially glabrous, margins with hyaline borders, apices rounded. Florets 4–5(–6); corolla tubes glabrous inside. Cypselae 3–3.5 mm; pappi: lengths ± 1/2 corollas, bristles barbellate. 2n = 20, 60.