This widespread southeastern species is the most common Liatris in Ky., but still uncommon to rare in most regions. Especially in eastern regions, it appears to be a somewhat conservative remnant of open woodland or grassland. See also notes under cylindracea and hirsuta, which are closely related to squarrosa and may intergrade. These are relatively short species, with stiff punctate leaves; leaf margins are relatively light (translucent), hard and thickened (Y). They have pappus with distinct plumose bristles (versus barbellate in other species of Ky.), and they tend to flower earlier than congeners: mostly in July-Aug (versus Aug-Sep). However, there are rare apparent hybrids between squarrosa and spicata or pycnostachya (Gaiser 1946; FNA 21 and citations).