Devil’s Bite

Liatris scariosa

Pollinator Value

Proximity Score: 3a
Native Status: ❌ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ❌ QC ❌ ON
Closest Direction: S
CEC Eco-Regions: 8 – Eastern Temperate Forests, 8.4 – Ozark, Ouachita-Appalachian Forests, 8.4.1 – Ridge and Valley
Rarity Notes: Globally ranked G4 (Apparently Secure) by NatureServe. Not native to Canada; VASCAN does not list this species. Not SARA-listed. NatureServe lists subnational native status only for NC, VA, and WV. In Illinois, the var. nieuwlandii is state-listed as threatened.
S22 S1 S26 S10
Migration: Disjunct
Ecological Context: A corm-forming perennial of dry sandy prairies, oak savannas, and jack pine barrens in the northeastern and midwestern United States. Typically found on well-drained sandy or rocky soils in open, fire-maintained habitats. In Michigan, documented in open jack pine savanna, dry sandy fields, and upland hills. Not part of the Canadian flora; nearest documented occurrences are in New York and New England.
S7 S4 S48 S10

Roles: Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]

Category: Diuretic, Kidney Aid, Urinary Aid, Dermatological Aid, Gastrointestinal Aid, Antidiarrheal, Tonic, Appetizer, Veterinary Aid, Pediatric Aid
S28 S29
Notes: Extensively used in traditional Indigenous medicine. The Meskwaki used the root for kidney and bladder troubles. The Omaha applied a poultice of powdered plants to external inflammation, and used roots as an appetizer and tonic. The Pawnee gave a decoction of leaves and corms to children for diarrhea. The Chippewa used a decoction of root as a horse stimulant. PFAF rates medicinal value 2 of 5, listing root as appetizer, diuretic, and tonic.
S28 S29

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: No documented food uses. Moerman records the root as an appetizer and tonic among the Omaha, but these are categorized as medicinal (Drug) rather than dietary uses. PFAF assigns an edibility rating of 0.
S28 S29