Aster spectabilis

 

 

  
State Status * CT MA RI VT NH ME
S2 P P      

 

 

 

Ecology: Sandy soil; coastal plain.  Full sun to part shade.
Blooming Period: Mid-August through September.
Typical Height Range: 6 to 18 inches   (2 to 5 dm)
.
 What to look for in the field: 
  Capitulescence is in the shape of a flat-topped corymb, with relatively few heads, which are located at the tips of branches.
  Stems are densely short-pubescent, and also glandular upwards, close to the branches.  Branches are also pubescent and glandular.
  Basal leaves are oblanceolate on long petioles, or sometimes spoon-shaped. They are often present during flowering.  Stem leaves are oblanceolate, the lower and mid-stem leaves also taper to winged petioles.
  Heads are large, as much as 4 to 5 cm wide.  Rays are bright blue-violet, showy.  Disc florets are bright yellow.  Phyllaries are strongly spreading and densely glandular.  View image of involucre and phyllaries.

* State status data obtained from the NatureServe website and from published state natural heritage data.  Click link for a list of state status codes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10/29/2009