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Eurybia spectabilis

Eurybia spectabilis (Aiton) G.L. Nesom

Eastern Showy Aster, Showy Aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Aster commixtus, Aster smallii, Aster spectabilis, Aster spectabilis var. cinerascens, Aster spectabilis var. suffultus, Eurybia commixta

USDA Symbol: EUSP3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Open clusters of showy flower heads with bright lavender rays surrounding a yellow central disc; stem stiff, rough, often branched toward top.
Flowers: Head to 1 1/2" (4 cm) wide; bracts oblong, sticky, with spreading green tips.

This very showy, large-flowered, short-stemmed aster is easily cultivated and makes a fine display in late summer. Its distribution is mainly coastal, especially in pine barrens.

From the Image Gallery

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Purple
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: AL , CT , DE , MA , MD , NC , NJ , NY , PA , RI , SC , VA
Native Distribution: New York and Massachusetts south to Georgia and Alabama.
Native Habitat: Dry clearings and sandy woods.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 34 - Go Botany (2019) Native Plant Trust
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Eurybia spectabilis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Eurybia spectabilis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eurybia spectabilis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-03-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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