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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum [= Aster lateriflorus]

Starved Aster, Calico Aster, Calico American-aster

Scientific Name:

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum [= Aster lateriflorus]

Genus:

Symphyotrichum

Species Epithet:

lateriflorum

Common Name:

Starved Aster, Calico Aster, Calico American-aster

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Invasive Status:

(*Key)

Size:

1-3 ft., 3-6 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White, Pink, Yellow

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry, Moist

Bloom Time:

September, October, November

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

“Moist, seasonally or irregularly inundated soils of floodplain forests, bottomlands, swamp forests, marshes, damp meadows, and moist clearings. It does grow into uplands, though usually not far from a wetland and usually in moist or rich soil” (Vascular Plants of NC).

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

White to purple/pinkish ray flowers, with yellow disk flowers turning maroon. Cultivars available.

Branching clusters of short-stalked flowers at the top of the stem and arising from upper leaf axils. Branches are often widely spreading with the flowers all on one side of the branch.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Symphyotrichum lateriflorum [= Aster lateriflorus]. You will likely hear them called Starved Aster, Calico Aster, Calico American-aster. This picture shows the Branching clusters of short-stalked flowers at the top of the stem and arising from upper leaf axils. Branches are often widely spreading with the flowers all on one side of the branch. of Symphyotrichum lateriflorum [= Aster lateriflorus]

Annkatrin Rose

Alternate, stalkless, lance-elliptic shaped leaves, usually with a few teeth. Leaves become more lance-linear as they ascend the stem.

Haywood Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Symphyotrichum lateriflorum [= Aster lateriflorus]. You will likely hear them called Starved Aster, Calico Aster, Calico American-aster. This picture shows the Alternate, stalkless, lance-elliptic shaped leaves, usually with a few teeth. Leaves become more lance-linear as they ascend the stem. of Symphyotrichum lateriflorum [= Aster lateriflorus]

Annkatrin Rose

Stems are initially green but often turn red later in the season. Stems are covered in soft, white hairs, though may become hairless on the lower stem.

Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Symphyotrichum lateriflorum [= Aster lateriflorus]. You will likely hear them called Starved Aster, Calico Aster, Calico American-aster. This picture shows the Stems are initially green but often turn red later in the season. Stems are covered in soft, white hairs, though may become hairless on the lower stem.
 of Symphyotrichum lateriflorum [= Aster lateriflorus]

Annkatrin Rose

The tubular disc flowers are white to cream but turn pink to purplish as they mature. The disc corollas have strongly reflexed lobes.

Watauga Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Symphyotrichum lateriflorum [= Aster lateriflorus]. You will likely hear them called Starved Aster, Calico Aster, Calico American-aster. This picture shows the The tubular disc flowers are white to cream but turn pink to purplish as they mature. The disc corollas have strongly reflexed lobes.  of Symphyotrichum lateriflorum [= Aster lateriflorus]

Annkatrin Rose

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/species_account.php
 

https://nc.audubon.org/conservation/bird-friendly-communities/bird-friendly-native-plants
 

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-lateriflorum/
 

https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/symphyotrichum/lateriflorum/
 



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