Smooth
Aster Aster Laevis
L.
Other Name: Smooth Blue Aster
Description:
The Smooth Aster is a warm-season perennial reaching a height up to one meter
or more. It is a member of the Compositae, or aster family. Smooth Aster has a short
rhizome root system.
Leaf: The alternate, blue-green, lanceolate leaves are smooth and entire. The basal leaves have petioles while the upper leaves clasp the smooth, erect stem.
Flower: The heads are numerous, with 15 to 30 blue
or violet rays. The heads are up to 2.5 cm broad.
Blooming months: Early September - early October
Stem: Up to 1 m tall, with a distinctive bluish green cast.
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Discussion:
The Smooth Aster takes easily to cultivation. It is a showy member of a
wild garden. Asters were used by the Shakers in pioneer times to treat skin
problems.
Distribution: The Smooth Aster is found
in moist or dry prairies, and in woods. Aster is distributed from
Native
or Introduced to
Location:
N41048.677’ W089040.972’
Copyright:
© 2004 Nancy Trainor,
References:
Keller, Carolyn. Prairie Plants of
Ladd, Doug. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers, The Nature Conservancy, 1995.
Peterson, Roger Tory. Wildflowers Northeastern/North Central
Mohlenbroch, Robert H., and John W. Voigt. Prairie
Plants of
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