Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var lanceolatum

Ecology:	Fields, roadsides, thickets, often moist
Blooming Period:	September - October
Typical Height Range:	3 to 6 feet (9 to 18 dm)
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What to look for in the field:
Capitulescence is in the shape of a well-defined panicle, with long, spreading branches, which are sometimes also recurved. Heads may be numerous, but are neither crowded nor in one-sided arrays on branches.
Stems are often stout and tall, glabrous below, becoming pubescent in lines above. Branches are also pubescent in lines.
Leaves are lanceolate. Stem leaves are sometimes quite long. Leaves become smaller upwards and on branches, and are not clasping.
Heads are medium sized, from 1.5 to 2.5 cm across. Rays are either white or pale blue-violet. Disc florets are yellow, turning purple. Involucres are vase shaped. Phyllaries are often slightly spreading, especially the outer ones. Green zones are lanceolate in shape. View image of involucre and phyllaries. .
[ Note: There are two common varieties of this species throughout much of New England. They are similar in most respects, differentiated mainly by the width of their leaves and the relative length of their branch and upper stem leaves. They are both tall, stout varieties that often spread by rhizomes to form colonies. In "var latifolium" leaves tend to be broader and not as greatly reduced in size on branches. I also find them to be a darker shade of green than in "var lanceolatum". The heads in "var latifolium" also appear to be slightly larger. Nevertheless, there is much variation in this species that is not yet accounted for by the two or three recognized variations. ]
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State Status *	CT	MA	RI	VT	NH	ME
State Status *	P	P	P	P	P	P