Aster borealis Prov. - Rush Aster


 

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Aster borealis - (image 1 of 3)

 

Taxonomy

Family: Asteraceae

Habitat

Characteristic of calcareous fens. Also found in cold bogs.

Associates

Asclepias incarnata, Campanula aparinoides, Eupatorium maculatum, Gentiana procera, Lobelia kalmii, Lythrum alatum, Parnassia glauca

Distribution

Quebec south to northern NJ, west to MN, CO, and AK.

Morphology

Perennial from long rhizome usually less than 2 mm thick; stems 15-100 cm. Stem leaves somewhat petiolate, scabrous, narrowly linear (rush-like), mostly less than 6 mm wide Heads few on short peduncles, subcorymbose in diffuse, short, terminal inflorescences; rays white or pale blue, mostly 30 or more, about 10 mm long.

Notes

Flowers  August to October

Wetland Indicator: Obligate

The name rush aster refers to the very thin leaves.

References

Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.

The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY

 

Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.

 


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© Michael Hough 2004