Symphyotrichum laeve


Symphyotrichum laeve is a flowering plant native to Canada and the United States.

Description

Smooth aster is tall. Its leaves are arranged alternately on the stems, and their shape varies between lanceolate, oblong-ovate, oblong-obovate, and ovate. They measure from long and from wide. They are usually hairless, and the leaf edges are entire or bluntly or sharply toothed, sometimes with smaller teeth.
The flower heads are arranged in clusters. Each flower head has 13 to 23 ray florets with pale to dark blue or purple petals, and 19 to 33 disc florets that start out yellow and eventually turn purplish-red. The whole flowerhead measures across.
The seeds are achenes with bristles at their tips. Like the hairs on dandelion seeds, the bristles allow the seeds to be spread by the wind.

Varieties

There are four varieties: S. laeve var. laeve, S. laeve var. geyeri, S. laeve var. concinnum, and S. laeve var. purpuratum.

Distribution and habitat

Symphyotrichum laeve is found throughout North America. It is found naturally occurring in fields, open woods and along roadsides. It grows in rocky or dry soil in full sun.

Ecology

Symphyotrichum laeve blooms in late summer and early fall. It is pollinated by many native bees and attracts butterflies. It is a larval host for the pearly crescent butterfly.''