Single Record

Participant Info

Species
Liatris punctata [Lacinaria punctata]
Family
Asteraceae
CommonName
gay feather, cachana
Presence
YES
Status
native
EarliestDate
1978
LatestDate
2024
Ecosystem
basin, foothill, ruderal
Geobotanical
NCristos, UBasin
Counties
Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Saguache
Passes
WildlifePreserves
Other Localities
La Botica
Comments
Gay feather has been found in only a few Watershed locations: Saguache Co, near the old hot springs in the Upper Basin (1985-2000) and near the Valley View Hot Springs, 2024); Alamosa Co, the Rio Grande floodplain in the town of Alamosa (1988); Costilla Co, along Hwy 160 near Forbes Park, in sagebrush and rabbitbrush habitat (1978). Bye and Linares (1986) report that Liatris punctata used to be collected also from La Botica (on La Jara Creek, Conejos Co), and that over-grazing may have eradicated it there. Traditionally the plant was used as a remedio for stomach aches and colic. The species follows the Rio Grande drainage in New Mexico from the Colorado border to Mexico, and in Texas nearly to the Gulf. Its USA range is the Rockies and Great Plains—xeric mountain sides and prairies—from Canada to Mexico.