Aster cordifolius

Blue wood aster
Blue heart-leaved aster

 

  
State Status * CT MA RI VT NH ME
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Ecology: Woods; clearings; shaded roadsides
Blooming Period: September - October
Typical Height Range: 3 to 5 ft.   (9 to 15 dm)
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 What to look for in the field: 
  Capitulescence is in the shape of a panicle.  Heads are numerous and small, crowded on branches.
  Stems are often bent at the nodes, glabrous below, becoming pubescent above.
  Basal and lowest stem leaves are usually deciduous by flowering.  Mid-stem leaves are heart-shaped on long petioles and sharply-toothed.  Upper-stem leaves are ovate, with shorter, winged petioles.
  Heads are relatively small, from 1.2 to 2.0 cm wide.  Rays are pale blue-violet to nearly white.  Disc florets are cream-color or pale yellow to nearly translucent, turning purple.  Involucres are vase-shaped.  Phyllaries are not spreading.  View image of involucre and phyllaries.
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* State status data obtained from the NatureServe website and from published state natural heritage data.  Click link for a list of state status codes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10/30/2009