swamp aster

Symphyotrichum puniceum

Swamp asters are pretty flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. They have bright purple petals and attract butterflies and bees, making them a favorite in gardens and wetlands.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The swamp aster has striking purple to pinkish-purple, daisy-like flowers with bright yellow centers, often growing in clusters. Its most distinctive feature is its robust, purplish-red stems, which give it a unique, vibrant look compared to other green-stemmed asters.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderAsteralesFamilyAsteraceaeGenusSymphyotrichum

swamp aster

Interesting facts

Even its scientific name, 'puniceum', means reddish-purple!

It's a super late bloomer, bringing color when most other flowers are gone!

Its seeds have tiny parachutes, letting them fly far on the wind!

Some call it the 'Red-stemmed Aster' for its unique, colorful stalks!

Special abilities

Swamp aster can thrive in soggy soil thanks to special roots that are adapted to wet conditions, helping it survive in marshes.

Its bright purple flowers are like a beacon, drawing in thirsty butterflies and bees for essential nectar.

Swamp aster blooms late in the year, providing a vital food source for insects when most other flowers have faded.

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

Honeybee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen from flowers.

pollinates

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

Feeds on nectar, helping flower reproduction.

pollinates

Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus

Nectars on late-season blooms during migration.

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.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.