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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve

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

Smooth Blue Aster, Smooth Aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Aster falcidens, Aster laevis, Aster laevis var. falcatus, Aster steeleorum

USDA Symbol: SYLAL3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

The stout, leafy stem of this perennial grows 2-4 ft., with dark-green foliage that is smooth on top and rough underneath. The attractive and numerous pale-lavender flowers with yellow centers occur in large, open heads atop the stems.

Variety laeve occurs in the eastern part of the range of S. laeve; there are three other varieties.

From the Image Gallery

5 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: ME to Yukon, s. to GA, LA, SD, NM, UT, n. ID & n.e. OR
Native Habitat: Open woods; dry to mesic prairies

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Variable.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Birds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Pearl Crescent
(Phyciodes tharos)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Sow seeds, 5/8" deep, outside in fall or provide cold stratification. Also propagated by "softwood" cuttings taken in late spring or by separating strong, outer rhizomes from large clumps.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally

Search 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 Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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