Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Ionactis linariifolius
Ionactis linariifolius (L.) Greene
Flaxleaf Whitetop Aster, Stiff Aster, Flaxleaf Aster
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Aster linariifolius, Aster linariifolius var. victorinii
USDA Symbol: IOLI2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Stiff, leafy stalk is terminated by several flower heads with blue ray flowers and yellow center disc flowers that turn bronzy.
Numerous short stems form a mound of flowers in colors ranging from deepest lavender to pinks and whites.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 28 inches tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Yellow , Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: NB , QC
Native Distribution: Southern Ontario to New Brunswick; New England south to northwest Florida; west to Louisiana and eastern Texas; north to Minnesota.
Native Habitat: Dry clearings, rocky banks.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Sandy
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesFrom the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallySearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Ionactis linariifolius in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ionactis linariifolius in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ionactis linariifolius
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-12-29Research By: TWC Staff