Leafy Aster
ExplorePlants
Leafy Aster
Symphyotrichum foliaceum
The Leafy Aster is a pretty flower that blooms in late summer and fall. It has bright purple petals and is loved by butterflies and bees, making gardens colorful and lively!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Leafy Aster has vibrant purple or blue-violet ray petals surrounding a bright yellow center, forming a daisy-like flower. Its stems are often leafy, especially near the base, giving it a bushy appearance. It stands out in mountain meadows with its cheerful late-season blooms.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusSymphyotrichum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Each Leafy Aster "flower" is actually a cluster of many tiny flowers grouped together!
Leafy Asters provide a vital late-season snack bar for sleepy bees and butterflies before winter.
Some aster seeds have tiny parachutes, helping them fly far away on the wind to find new homes!
The name "Aster" comes from ancient Greek, meaning "star," referring to its star-like flower shape!
Special abilities
Ability
Winter Warrior
Leafy Aster can survive harsh winters as a perennial, returning year after year from its strong root system.
Ability
Nectar Beacon
Leafy Aster has bright, abundant flowers and late blooms that provide crucial nectar for insects when other flowers fade.
Ability
Rhizome Spreader
Leafy Aster can spread underground using rhizomes, allowing it to colonize new areas and form dense clumps.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-100 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late summer to fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Two-form Bumble Bee
Bombus bifarius
collects nectar and pollen
pollinates
Painted Lady Butterfly
Vanessa cardui
sips sweet nectar
eaten by
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
grazes on foliage and stems
eaten by
Yellow-bellied Marmot
Marmota flaviventris
feeds on plant parts
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't pick flowers in nature. They are homes for insects!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Leafy Aster?
30-100 cm
How wide does Leafy Aster spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Leafy Aster?
1-3 cm
When does Leafy Aster bloom?
Late summer to fall
Is Leafy Aster edible?
No
Is Leafy Aster toxic?
None
What is Leafy Aster's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Leafy Aster pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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