Family: Asteraceae
heath aster, squarrose white aster, white heath aster, white prairie aster
[Aster ericoides L.]
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
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
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
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
Theodore S. Cochrane
Kenneth J. Sytsma
Thomas Givnish
Derek Anderson
Botanical Illustration
Aaron Carlson
Aaron Carlson
Aaron Carlson
