Etymology: Aster: from the Greek aster, "a star," describing the radiate heads of the flowers
Plants: stiffly erect, perennial, 1'-7' tall forb with clustered stems
Leaves: mostly along the stem, dense, usually entire, strongly clasping, mostly broadly-oblong to lance-like
Flowers: head 3/4"-1 1/2" wide with 45-100 purple to rose rays, disk orange; inflorescence of a few to many heads in leafy, short clusters; blooms Aug.-Oct., our latest flowering aster
Fruits: dry seed with dense, fluffy pappus
Habitat: full to partial sun; moderate moisture to moist; meadows, prairies; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 3, Wetland Indicator = FACW 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 USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin 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"