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Cressler, Alan

Symphyotrichum undulatum

Symphyotrichum undulatum (L.) G.L. Nesom

Wavyleaf Aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Aster asperifolius, Aster claviger, Aster corrigiatus, Aster diversifolius, Aster gracilescens, Aster linguiformis, Aster loriformis, Aster mohrii, Aster proteus, Aster sylvestris, Aster triangularis, Aster truellius, Aster undulatus, Aster undulatus var. asperulus, Aster undulatus var. diversifolius, Aster undulatus var. loriformis, Aster undulatus var. triangularis

USDA Symbol: syun

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

A stiff, very rough stem bearing spreading branches and loose clusters of flower heads with lavender, violet, or pale blue rays.

There are several varieties of this plant, differing only in the outline of the leaves. The broadly winged leafstalks are particularly noteworthy.

From the Image Gallery

17 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 5 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: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WV
Canada: NB , NS , ON , QC
Native Distribution: Ontario; Nova Scotia and Maine south to Florida, west to Louisiana, and north to Tennessee and Illinois.
Native Habitat: Dry woods, thickets, and clearings.

Growing Conditions

Soil Moisture: Dry

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: 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

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

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

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.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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