Etymology: Aster: from the Greek aster, "a star," describing the radiate heads of the flowers
Plants: erect, perennial, 6"-36" tall, hairy forb; colony-forming, creeping rhizomes
Leaves: many, linear, less than 1/4" wide, stalkless
Flowers: head 1/2"-1" wide with 8-20 white rays; inflorescence a dense cluster of many heads mostly on one side of curving, widely-spaced branches; blooms Aug.-Oct.
Fruits: dry seed with lines of hairs
Habitat: full sun; dry to moderate moisture; meadows, prairies; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 4, Wetland Indicator = FACU- 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 University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Vascular Plants: Photos, descriptions, information Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key