Its stems are erect and usually unbranched. The flower heads are composed entirely of disk flowers, are bright pinkish purple, and are larger than those of most Liatris species.
Flower heads are usually separate from each other on the stem.
Florida ziziphus is a shrub up to 5 feet or 1.5 meters high. Its deciduous leaves are a dark, glossy green on top and a light, dull green beneath. Each flower has five green sepals and five white petals clasping an equal number of stamens. The fruit is a drupe. This shrub also goes by the name Garrett's ziziphus or Florida lotebush.