Aster sagittifolius
    Aster urophyllus

White arrowleaf aster

 

  
State Status * CT MA RI VT NH ME
 

 

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Ecology: Only one site in New England.  Reports of midwestern populations indicate that habitats are highly varied, but mostly open and sunny, often disturbed.
Blooming Period: Mid-August through September
Typical Height Range: Observed plants were from 2 to 4 feet tall.
[ Please report sightings of this rare species to appropriate state heritage program. ]
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 What to look for in the field: 
  Capitulescence is in the shape of a panicle, with numerous, straight, ascending branches.  Heads are numerous, somewhat crowded on branches, but not in one-sided arrays.
  Stems are straight, becoming slightly bent at the nodes upwards, glabrous below, becoming pubescent within the capitulescence.
  Basal and lowest stem leaves are heart-shaped with long-petioles; the notches are somewhat shallow.  Higher stem leaves quickly lose the heart-shaped notches, become narrowly ovate and taper to shorter, more broadly winged petioles.
  Heads are small, from 1.2 to 2.0 cm wide.  Involucres are narrowly vase-shaped.  Phyllaries are narrow and long-pointed, with narrow green zones.  Rays are white to pale pink.  Disc florets are cream color to pale yellow, turning purple.  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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10/29/2009