Aster puniceus

Bristly aster
Swamp aster

 

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

 

 

Ecology: Swamps, thickets, wet meadows; rich, damp soil.
Blooming Period: Mid-August through October
Typical Height Range: 2 to 5 feet   (6 to 15 dm)
[ Our plants are var puniceum. ]
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 What to look for in the field: 
  Capitulescence is in the shape of a panicle, with widely spreading branches.  Heads are numerous, somewhat crowded on branches, but not in one-sided arrays.
  Stems are stout, often purple (but not always), densely covered with stiff, spreading hairs which are rough to the touch.
   Basal and lowest stem leaves are deciduous by flowering.  Mid- to upper stem leaves are oblanceolate and toothed, and the bases conspicuously clasp stems.
  Heads are large, from 2.5 to 3.8+ cm wide, with bright blue-violet rays and
yellow disc florets.  Involucres are broadly vase-shaped.  Phyllaries are long and narrow, sometimes tipped with a small slender point (but not a spine) and recurved; the green patch is not well delimited.  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