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Aster novae-angliae
Common Name of Species: New
England Aster
Family: Asteraceae
Description: New England asters can be identified by their extremely numerous flower rays, 35-45 a head, hairy stems, and clasping, numerous, lance-shaped leaves.
Leaves: Leaves are 1 ˝ - 5 inches in length, lance-shaped, pointed at the tip and toothless. Lower leaves clasp at stem, and are hairy. Less than 1 inch wide.
Flowers: Flowers are 1-2 inches wide, with 35-45 lavender to purplish-blue rays surrounded by a yellowish disk.
Stem: Stems are erect, and do not branch nor have hair.
Branching Pattern: Leaves grow alternate to one another.
Height: 3-7 feet tall.
Conditions/Habitat: Wet thickets, meadows and swamps.
Range: Can be found South of Maine and Quebec, and East of Texas in North America.
References:
Niering, W.A., Olmstead, N.C, & Thieret, J.W. (2001). National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers Eastern Region (Revised Edition). New York: Random House Inc.
Newcomb, Lawrence (1977). Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. New York: Little, Brown.
McKenny, M. & Peterson R.T. (1996). Peterson Field Guides: Wildflowers Northeastern/ North-central North America. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
USDA, NRCS (2004). Plants Database, Version 3.05 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874 USA.