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

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 6 Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Vascular Plants: Photos, descriptions, information Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"