Aster azureus Lindl. - Sky Blue Aster


 

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Aster azureus - (image 1 of 3)

 

Taxonomy

Family: Asteraceae

 

Gleason uses the name A. oolentangiensis Riddell and following contemporary thinking this plant is referable as Symphyotrichum oolentangiense (Riddell) Nesom var. oolentangiense.

Habitat

Black oak savanna, dry and mesic prairies, clay banks

Associates

 

Distribution

Western NY and southern Ontario west to MN and SD, south to western TN, northwest MS, LA and eastern TX.

Morphology

Perennial to 1.5 m from a branched caudex or short rhizome. Leaves slightly to harshly scabrous, to 6 x 13 cm; lower leaves petiolate and cordate or subcordate; leaf blades mostly entire, some subentire. Flowers bright sky-blue or occasionally pink; rays 10-25, 5-12 mm. Achenes glabrous or nearly so.

Notes

Flowers July to November

Wetland Indicator: Upland

Makes a great ornamental for a dry, sunny garden in soils ranging from sandy to clayey. Very drought tolerant.

References

Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.

The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY

 

Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.

 


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© Michael Hough 2004