Blazing a Trail: Otto Jennings and the Star of the Prairie

On This Day
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:

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October 4, 1877

On this day, dear readers, we celebrate the birth of Otto Emery Jennings, a man whose passion for the natural world would leave an indelible mark on both the scientific community and the landscape of Pennsylvania.

Jennings, who would go on to become the curator at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, began his illustrious career in 1904 as a humble custodian at the very institution he would one day lead.

Picture, if you will, a young Otto, dutifully tending to the museum's halls, his mind already teeming with the wonders of the natural world.

Over the next 41 years, he would climb the proverbial ladder, holding nearly every position within the museum's hierarchy before ascending to the directorship in 1945. What a testament to the power of dedication and an insatiable curiosity for nature!

But it is not merely for his museum career that we remember Otto Jennings today.

No, his legacy blooms wild and free in the Jennings Nature Reserve near Butler, Pennsylvania.

This 20-acre sanctuary stands as a living monument to Jennings' foresight and his devotion to a particularly captivating native plant: the Blazing Star (Liatris spicata, or as our botanical friends would say, "Ly-at-truss Spah-cah-tah").

Imagine, if you will, a meadow awash with tall, slender stems, each crowned with a magnificent plume of purple or white flowers.

This is the domain of the Blazing Star, a late-blooming beauty that caught Jennings' discerning eye. So enamored was he with this native North American plant that he worked tirelessly to protect its natural habitat, ensuring that future generations could marvel at its splendor.

Known also by the charming monikers of Gayfeather or Prairie Star, the Blazing Star is a true gem in any garden.

For those of you, dear readers, who may be inspired to cultivate your own patch of prairie paradise, allow me to extol the virtues of this magnificent plant:

  • It is remarkably easy to grow and propagate, a boon for both novice and experienced gardeners alike.
  • Requiring little fuss, it's the very definition of low maintenance - perfect for those of us who prefer to spend more time admiring our gardens than toiling in them.
  • Its striking blooms make for excellent cut flowers, bringing a touch of wild beauty to your indoor arrangements.
  • Perhaps most importantly, pollinators adore the Blazing Star. Imagine your garden abuzz with bees and aflutter with butterflies, particularly Monarchs, who seem to find these blooms utterly irresistible.

The standard Blazing Star, standing at a respectable 16 inches tall, is a lovely addition to any border. However, for those of you with grander visions, consider its statuesque cousin, the Prairie Blazing Star, which can reach a towering five feet in height. What a magnificent backdrop it would make!

As we remember Otto Emery Jennings today, let us also celebrate the Blazing Star he so cherished. In nurturing this plant,

Jennings reminds us of the importance of conservation and the joy of cultivating native species. Perhaps, inspired by his example, we might all look a little closer at the wild beauty that surrounds us, seeking out those plants that not only please the eye but also support our local ecosystems.

So, my fellow gardeners and nature enthusiasts, why not consider adding a touch of prairie magic to your own gardens?

Plant a Blazing Star, and as you watch it grow and flourish, think of Otto Jennings and his legacy - a man who began as a custodian and ended up safeguarding the natural treasures of an entire region. What a blazing example of the power of passion and perseverance!

Otto Emery Jennings, Formal Portrait
Otto Emery Jennings, Formal Portrait
Otto Emery Jennings out and about
Otto Emery Jennings out and about
Otto Emery Jennings, old age
Otto Emery Jennings, old age
Liatris spicata
Liatris spicata

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