Symphyotrichum laeve (L.) Á. Löve & D. Löve

Smooth Aster; Smooth Blue Aster

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Smooth Blue Aster is a native herbaceous perennial in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It can be found primarily in the Black Belt region of central Alabama and the Tennessee Valley of north Alabama in areas underlain by limestone. Smooth Blue Aster occurs in prairies, in cedar glades, on limestone outcrops, and in dry, rocky woods. It is a perennial with a short rhizome or woody caudex. Stems are erect, green or reddish in color, unbranched below the inflorescence, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. Leaves are basal and cauline. The basal leaves are petiolate, spatulate to oblong or lanceolate in outline, entire or crenate, glabrous, and thick and leathery in texture. Cauline leaves are alternate, petiolate or sessile, the sessile one auriculate clasping, ovate to lanceolate in outline, entire or crenate, glabrous, and reduced in size upwards. Flowers are produced in heads. The heads are arranged in flat topped panicles. Each head has 13-23 blue ray flowers and 19-33 yellow disc flowers. The disc flowers turn reddish with age. The fruit is an achene with reddish-brown pappus. Smooth Blue Aster is available from some native plant nurseries. It prefers a site with well-draining soil in full sun.—A. Diamond

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Native G5T5 (Global Rank)

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