|
Aster lateriflorus |
Starved Aster
|
|
| State Status * | CT | MA | RI | VT | NH | ME |
| P | P | P | P | P | P |
|
|
| Ecology: | Woods, clearings, roadsides, old fields |
| Blooming Period: | September - October |
| Typical Height Range: | 2 to 3 ft. (6 to 9 dm) |
| . | |
| What to look for in the field: | |
 Capitulescence
is in the shape of a well-defined panicle, with widely spreading branches,
which are sometimes also recurved.
Branching often begins low on
the stem. The upper-most portion of the stem is often arching.
Heads are
crowded on branches, sometimes
in nearly one-sided arrays. |
|
| Basal leaves
and lowest stem leaves are usually deciduous by flowering.
Stem leaves vary from narrowly
lanceolate to
ovate. Branch leaves
are usually much smaller in size. Leaves may be
deflexed on stems or
pointing backwards on branches. |
|
| Heads
are small, from 1.0 - 1.3 cm wide. Rays are white (rarely bluish).
Disc florets are pale cream color to nearly translucent, turning
magenta, giving this species it's "calico" appearance. The lobes of the disc florets are relatively long and are strongly
recurved. |
|
| Involucres
are vase-shaped. The phyllaries are not
spreading, and
at least the inner ones have a distinct diamond-shaped green patch.
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
