# Aster (*Aster novae-angliae*) Asters are beautiful flowers that come in many colors like purple, pink, and white. They bloom in late summer and fall, attracting butterflies and bees to their nectar-rich petals. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Michaelmas Daisy ![Aster](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Symphyotrichum_novae-angliae_flower_%2824%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andrew Sebastian, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Symphyotrichum_novae-angliae_flower_%2824%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Aster has numerous vibrant, daisy-like flowers, typically appearing in shades of purple, pink, or white, with bright yellow centers. Its ray petals radiate outwards like a star, making it easily distinguishable in fall meadows. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Asterales - **Family:** Asteraceae - **Genus:** Symphyotrichum ## Interesting facts - Asters are sometimes called 'frost flowers' because they are among the last to bloom before winter. - Monarch butterflies rely on aster nectar to fuel their long migration south each fall! - Native American tribes historically used parts of the aster plant for herbal remedies and teas. - Some aster varieties can slightly change flower color as they age, often from purple to a softer pink. ## Special abilities - **Late Nectar Power-up:** Aster provides essential nectar for pollinators like butterflies and bees when most other flowers have faded for the season. - **Wind-Resistant Stems:** Aster has strong, hairy stems that help it stand tall and sturdy, protecting its blooms from autumn winds and rain. - **Pollinator Beacon:** Aster's bright, star-shaped flowers and abundant nectar attract a wide variety of insects, ensuring successful reproduction. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 90-180 cm - **Spread:** 30-90 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late summer to fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Monarch Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/monarch-butterfly) (*Danaus plexippus*) — Migrating monarchs fuel up on its nectar. - **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Provides vital nectar for late-season bees. - **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Deer often browse on its leaves and shoots. ## Traits - [Herbaceous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbaceous): Herbaceous plants are non-woody plants with soft stems that typically die back to the ground at the end of the growing season. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Biennial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/biennial): Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. ## Collections - [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy looking at asters in the wild, but don't pick them without permission as they help pollinators. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Aster? Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Aster? 90-180 cm ### How wide does Aster spread? 30-90 cm ### How big are the flowers on Aster? 2-5 cm ### When does Aster bloom? Late summer to fall ### Is Aster edible? No ### Is Aster toxic? None ### What is Aster's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Kolmårdens djurpark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kolm-rdens-djurpark) — Östergötland County, SE · Zoo - [SeaWorld San Antonio](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seaworld-san-antonio-texas) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Monsanto Insectarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monsanto-insectarium) — Missouri, US · Zoo - [SeaWorld San Antonio](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seaworld-san-antonio) — Texas, US · Aquarium [View all places to see Aster](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/aster) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Aster: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aster)