Rough Blazing-star is a native perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family that grows from a corm. It is commonly found in prairies glades and barren areas in eastern and central USA. It blooms late summer into fall with spikes of showy purple composite flowers. It is a butterfly magnet.

This plant will adapt to most well-drained soils but prefers an acidic sandy or rocky soil in full sun to partial shade. Use in the native, butterfly, rock or cottage garden near the middle to back of the border. It can also naturalize in the wildflower meadow.

Host plant for the larvae of both the Liatris flower moth ( Schinia sanguinea ) and the Liatris borer moth ( Carmenta anthracipennis ) .