Family: Asteraceae
aromatic aster, more..., oblong-leaved aster
[Aster kumleinii Fr. ex A.Gray, more, Aster kumleinii f. roseoligulatus Fr. ex A.Gray, Aster kumleinii var. oliganthemos Fr. ex A.Gray, Aster oblongifolius Nutt., Aster oblongifolius f. roseoligulatus Nutt., Aster oblongifolius var. angustatus Nutt., Aster oblongifolius var. oblongifolius Nutt., Aster oblongifolius var. orientis Nutt., Aster oblongifolius var. rigidulus Nutt., Lasallea oblongifolia (Nutt.) Semple & Brouillet, Virgulus oblongifolius (Nutt.) Reveal & Keener]
Etymology: Aster: from the Greek aster, "a star," describing the radiate heads of the flowers Plants: weakly erect, perennial, 4"-40" tall forb; stems stiff, brittle, more or less branched; from colony-forming rhizomes Leaves: stiff, entire, stalkess, usually slightly clasping, narrowly oblong, yellowish to dark green, coarsely hairy Flowers: head 3/4"- 1 1/4" wide with 15-40 blue to purple rays; inflorescence of several to many heads in large clusters at the ends of the branches; blooms Sept.-Oct. Fruits: dry seed with silky, fluffy pappus Habitat: full sun; dry; prairies, cliffs Conservation Status: Native
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