Symphyotrichum divaricatum (Nutt.) G.L. Nesom

Midwestern Annual Aster; Lawn Aster; Slim Aster

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Lawn Aster is a native annual or biennial member of the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is found in scattered locations across Alabama. Lawn Aster is usually found in moist disturbed sites such as marshes, river banks and sand bars, roadside ditches, and lawns. Flora of North America does not recognize this plant at the species level, and treats it as one of five varieties of the Eastern Saltmarsh Aster (Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michaux) G. L. Nesom). As a variety its scientific name is Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michaux) G. L. Nesom var. ligulatum S. D. Sundberg. This variety differs from the other varieties mainly in its larger ray flowers which are lavender or pale blue as opposed to white or pink in the other varieties. Lawn Aster growing in natural areas in a tap rooted annual with a smooth stem up to three feet in height. In lawns the plants are decumbent, weaving through the grasses and other plants. The lower leaves are lost before flowering, and those that remain on the stem are smooth and long oblanceolate in shape. The leaves near the heads are very small and pressed against the stem. The flowers are produced in heads. The disc flowers are yellow and the ray flowers are pale blue. In bright sunlight they may appear white. --A. Diamond

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Not Native

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