asters (Aster) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

True asters (Aster) are a group of mainly Eurasian plants with daisy-like flowers. Many wildflowers called “asters” in U.S. fields belong to a different group, New World asters (Symphyotrichum). Alpine aster has a native North American variety in Alaska and parts of the interior West.

In this group

Alpine AsterAster alpinus

Wild Alpine Aster includes a native North American variety in Alaska and parts of the interior West. Garden plants may come from Eurasian stock, so a flower photo alone cannot show its origin.

Tatarian AsterAster tataricus

An East Asian garden perennial that can reach about 6 ft (1.8 m). Its broad paddle-shaped leaves near the ground often remain visible when it flowers late in the season.

Italian AsterAster amellus

A Eurasian garden species with purple to blue-purple s. In the United States it is mainly encountered in cultivation rather than as a native wildflower.

Appearance

Growth form: Most are . Some form tight clumps, while others spread by underground stems.
Leaves: Leaves attach one at a time, staggered along the stem and range from smooth-edged to toothed. Leaf shape, hairiness, and the beneath the flower head are useful identification clues.
Flowering time: Many garden true asters bloom from late summer into fall, but alpine species can flower earlier. Timing depends on species, elevation, and region.
Fruit: Each small flower can produce a dry, one-seeded fruit. Many species have a of bristles at the tip.
How to recognize it: Each daisy-like flower head is a cluster of many tiny flowers: petal-like flowers surround smaller flowers in the yellow center. The outer flowers are often white, lavender, or purple.

Look-alikes

New World astersSymphyotrichum

These are the common native asters across much of the United States. Many cannot be separated from true Aster by a single flower photo, so check the regional range, leaves, and bracts as well as the current scientific name.

Why they get mixed upThey kept the common name “aster” after being moved out of genus Aster.

FleabanesErigeron

Many fleabanes have a dense fringe of numerous narrow petal-like flowers. True asters vary, so a single flower photo may not separate the genera; check leaves and the green bracts below the head.

Why they get mixed upBoth have small daisy-like heads with white to lavender outer flowers around a yellow center.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: alpine and subalpine ground
sunny borders and gardens
meadows and rocky slopes
Range: Aster is centered in Eurasia. A native variety of Alpine Aster occurs in Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming, while East Asian Tatarian Aster is grown in gardens and sometimes escapes in states such as Missouri.
Preferred conditions: Needs vary by species, from cool alpine sites to sunny garden soil. A location suitable for one Aster species may be wrong for another.

Life cycle

Seed dispersal: Bristled fruits can travel on the wind, while species with underground stems can also expand into patches.

Name and classification

About the name: Crinitaria tatarica is another scientific name for Tatarian aster (Aster tataricus).

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: Tatarian aster is grown for its late purple flowers and can spread strongly.

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