APPEARANCE

Leafy asters can grow over 50 centimetres tall. They have long, oval-shaped leaves with pointed ends, which wrap around the reddish brown stems at their base. The flowers can be many different shades of purple with yellow centres. They have many thin petals.

RANGE & HABITAT

Leafy asters are found all over North America, and they grow best in moist and cool meadows and open forests.

LIFE CYCLE

Asters flower in summer and fall, and the flowers ripen into many small seeds that have hairs to carry them on the wind.

ANIMAL USES

Many animals graze on asters.

TRADITIONAL USES BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Interior First Nations peoples use the plant for stomach remedies, and the Okanagan people have used it to wash sores on horses backs.

OTHER USES

Few people use leafy asters, but they are sometimes planted in wildflower meadows.

STATUS

COSEWIC: Not at Risk
CDC: Yellow

MORE INFORMATION

http://science.halleyhosting.com/nature/basin/sun/daisy/aster/asterfoliaceus.htm

Photo: Calypso Orchid