Aster laevis L. - Smooth Blue Aster


 

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Aster laevis - (image 1 of 4)

 

Taxonomy

Family: Asteraceae

Habitat

Mesic prairies. Dry woods.

Associates

 

Distribution

ME west to British Columbia, south to GA, AR, and NM.

Morphology

Perennial from a short, stout rhizome or branched caudex, sometimes with slender, creeping red rhizomes as well; stems glaucous, 30-100 cm. Leaves firm and leathery with auriculate-clasping bases. Inflorescence glabrous; flowers pale blue-purple, occasionally white; phyllaries firm with green rhombic tips. Achenes glabrous.

Notes

Flowers August to October

Wetland Indicator: Upland

Can often be found blooming in calcareous woodlands in the fall.

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