White Heath Aster - Aster pilosus (or Symphyotrichum pilosum)
White Heath Aster - Aster pilosus (or Symphyotrichum pilosum depending upon what source you use) - is a very common native wildflower, often seen in bloom in September and October in old fields, vacant lots, waste areas, roadsides, along railroads, and in pastures throughout the eastern U.S. It is a perennial herb, 2-5 feet tall, with extensively branched upper stems, leaves that are either slightly toothed or with no teeth at all, and open, diffuse inflorescences of 100 or more flower heads, each flower head with white ray petals, usually 15-30 in number, 0.2-0.4 inch long, with yellow to reddish disks 0.2-0.3 inch wide. This species is sometimes also called Awl Aster (because of its narrow, pointed involucral bracts; reduced leaves at the base of a flower or inflorescence) and Hairy Aster (the species name pilosus means covered with long, soft hairs). Another name is Frost Aster. There are three similar species found locally in late summer and early to mid fall in north Alabama. Panicled Aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum, also known as Aster lanceolatus, Aster paniculatus and Aster simplex) has somewhat more hairy foliage overall and it prefers drier habitats, with about 20 ray florets, its leaves with wedged-shaped bases, rather than rounded or cordate (heart-shaped), its stems with lines of fine white hairs, and its mature leaves that are hairless on both their upper and lower sides. Another similar species, the Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum), has smaller flower heads with fewer petaloid rays (9-14), coarsely toothed leaves, and disks that are usually purple. The Calico Aster also prefers shadier habitats, such as woodland borders and woodland openings and can bloom a bit earlier (in August). Yet another species, the Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides), also has smaller flowerheads with fewer petaloid rays (usually around 12), and its leaves are smaller in size (3 inches long maximum, while White Heath Aster has leaves up to 4 inches long). Horn, Cathcart, Wildflowers of Tennessee, the Ohio Valley, and the Southern Appalachians. www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/fr_aster.htm www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/hth_asterx.htm www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/pan_asterx.htm 2. White Heath Aster - Aster pilosus (or Symphyotrichum pilosum)
White Heath Aster - Aster pilosus (or Symphyotrichum pilosum)
White Heath Aster - Aster pilosus (or Symphyotrichum pilosum depending upon what source you use) - is a very common native wildflower, often seen in bloom in September and October in old fields, vacant lots, waste areas, roadsides, along railroads, and in pastures throughout the eastern U.S. It is a perennial herb, 2-5 feet tall, with extensively branched upper stems, leaves that are either slightly toothed or with no teeth at all, and open, diffuse inflorescences of 100 or more flower heads, each flower head with white ray petals, usually 15-30 in number, 0.2-0.4 inch long, with yellow to reddish disks 0.2-0.3 inch wide. This species is sometimes also called Awl Aster (because of its narrow, pointed involucral bracts; reduced leaves at the base of a flower or inflorescence) and Hairy Aster (the species name pilosus means covered with long, soft hairs). Another name is Frost Aster. There are three similar species found locally in late summer and early to mid fall in north Alabama. Panicled Aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum, also known as Aster lanceolatus, Aster paniculatus and Aster simplex) has somewhat more hairy foliage overall and it prefers drier habitats, with about 20 ray florets, its leaves with wedged-shaped bases, rather than rounded or cordate (heart-shaped), its stems with lines of fine white hairs, and its mature leaves that are hairless on both their upper and lower sides. Another similar species, the Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum), has smaller flower heads with fewer petaloid rays (9-14), coarsely toothed leaves, and disks that are usually purple. The Calico Aster also prefers shadier habitats, such as woodland borders and woodland openings and can bloom a bit earlier (in August). Yet another species, the Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides), also has smaller flowerheads with fewer petaloid rays (usually around 12), and its leaves are smaller in size (3 inches long maximum, while White Heath Aster has leaves up to 4 inches long). Horn, Cathcart, Wildflowers of Tennessee, the Ohio Valley, and the Southern Appalachians. www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/plants/fr_aster.htm www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/hth_asterx.htm www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/pan_asterx.htm 2. White Heath Aster - Aster pilosus (or Symphyotrichum pilosum)