Bristle-hair aster is an East Asian plant with pale purple, daisy-like flower heads that stand out in dry, open grassland. Its native range does not include the United States.
Appearance
Appearance
Plants are usually about 1–3 ft (30–90 cm) tall, with upright stems that branch near the top.
Growth form
It is an annual or herb with a main root that grows downward.
Leaves
The lower leaves are spoon-shaped or long and slightly wider toward the tip, and usually wither by flowering time. Upper leaves become narrower, with almost parallel sides.
Flowers
Each flower head has one outer row of pale purple around yellow .
Flowering time
In its native Korean range, it flowers from July through November.
Fruit
The dry, one-seeded fruit is an . Achenes from the disk florets carry much longer bristles than those from the ray florets.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
dry grasslands
coastal openings
forest edges
Range
Its native range extends from Mongolia and the Russian Far East through Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam. It is not native to the United States.
Preferred conditions
It grows in open, dry ground in the temperate parts of its East Asian range.