|
Aster laevis |
Smooth blue aster
|
|
| State Status * | CT | MA | RI | VT | NH | ME |
| P | P | SC ** | P | P | P |
|
|
| Ecology: | Dry roadsides, rocky ledges, clearings, upland woods |
| Blooming Period: | September - October |
| Typical Height Range: | 2 to 4 ft. (6 to 12 dm) |
| . | |
| What to look for in the field: | |
 Capitulescence
is in the shape of a panicle, usually occupying
the upper
1/4 of the stem. Branches are somewhat short and straight. Heads
are not
crowded on branches, and are not in one-sided arrays. |
|
| Stem
and branches are glabrous, sometimes also
glaucous. |
|
| Basal leaves
are deciduous by flowering.
Stem and branch leaves are broadly
lanceolate or
ovate, glabrous, somewhat thick
and fleshy, strongly clasping the stem. |
|
| Heads
are medium- to large in size, from 2.2 to 3.5 cm wide. Rays
are bright blue-violet,
showy. Disc florets
are bright yellow, turning reddish. Involucres
are vase- or bell-shaped, the phyllaries are
mostly not spreading.
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.
** This species is listed in Rhode Island's current endangered species list as "of concern" (i.e., special concern), which differs from the status shown on the NatureServe website. |
10/29/2009
