Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Aster divaricatus, Aster exilis, Aster neomexicanus, Aster subulatus and more, see SEINET
Other common names
southern annual saltmarsh aster
slender aster
panicled aster
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or annual
Similar species
A. arenosus
Height
6 to 20 inches or more
Riparian
Yes
Usually simple stems, sometimes branched above the middle; may have long rhizomes; ray flowers pinkish-purple or blue, disc flowers yellow; herbage slightly hairy to no hairs.
Annuals or biennials, stems spreading, at least above the middle; ray flowers pinkish-purple or blue, 16 to 30 sometimes 54, narrow; phyllaries (bracts at base of flower head) unequal, 25 to 45 in 3 to 5 series, often purple tinged.
Habitat
Marshy habitats, roadsides, lawns, waste places.
Plant Community
Riparian
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
4000
Flower Characteristics
Heads of ray and disc flowers in clusters of 1 to many; ray flowers pinkish-purple or blue; disc flowers yellow, numbering 30 to 50; bracts (phyllaries) 25 to 45 in 3 to 5 series and commonly with thin transparent margins.
Flower color
Pinkish purple, blue
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Narrow basal leaves, sparsely hairy, leaves to 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide, margins smooth or somewhat toothed; leaves slightly stemmed or sessile; leaf stems if present are winged.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Narrowly oval to spindle shaped, slightly compressed, up to 1/8 inch long, with a single seed. 5-ridged (nerved) with sparsely stiff hairs on faces. Topped with sub-equal fine bristles.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Light brown to purple