Fall Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)
Fall Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)
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Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (Nutt.) G.L. Nesom
Aromatic Aster, Aromatic American Aster, Fall Aster, Wild Blue Aster, Shale Aster
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Aster kumleinii, Aster oblongifolius, Aster oblongifolius var. angustatus, Aster oblongifolius var. orientis, Aster oblongifolius var. rigidulus, Lasallea oblongifolia, Virgulus oblongifolius
USDA Symbol: syob
This perennial’s rigid stems, usually less than 20 in. tall, are much-branched from the base. The narrow leaves and stems are sparsely covered with short hairs. Flower heads (capitula) are composed of about 30 pistillate and fertile ray florets with rose, lavender-blue or purple laminae surrounding 25-50 yellow bisexual and fertile disc florets, maturing brown or purplish.
Plant Characteristics
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall, often less.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Time: Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CO , DC , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MD , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NM , OH , OK , PA , SD , TN , TX , VA , WI , WV , WYNative Distribution: PA to NC, w. to n.e. WY & TX, s. to Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico
Native Habitat: Frequent in calcareous prairies of Edwards Plateau and lower plains Country. Well-drained sand, loam, clay, caliche, limestone.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Rocky, calcareous or sandy soils. Well drained.
Conditions Comments: Fall aster creates dazzling purple mounds in the fall season. It slowly colonizes by stolons, so thin regularly to control it. The plant may "open up" if it gets to top heavy so it is a good idea to keep it thick by pruning it back by no more than half in June. After it goes dormant, wait to cut back to the basal rosette in late fall, early winter.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesNectar Source: yes
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=syob
Image Information
Photographer: Mathews, RayCity: Austin
County: Travis
State: TX
Location Notes: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Children's Garden.
Accession date: 2017-10-25
Filename: RCM_IMG3825.JPG
Slide Index: DSC02947 Fall aster flowers in bloom in the Childrens Garden across the trail from the Color Garden - Photo by Ray Mathews 10-7-2015
Restrictions: Unrestricted
Collection: Wildflower Center Digital Library
Original Format: Digital
Orientation: Landscape
Shot: Close-up of capitula.
Date Taken: 2015-10-07
NPIN Image Id: 55851
