Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve
smooth blue aster
Asteraceae (Aster family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
smooth blue aster
Asteraceae (Aster family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Photograph
Map
Distribution of Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve
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Introduction
This eastern North American variety has spread from commercial plantings into a vacant lot in New Westminster (Lomer 7506 @ UBC).
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Species Information
General:
Perennial herb from a fibrous-rooted, usually short rhizome or woody stem-base; stems erect, branched above, glabrous or nearly so, 0.4-1.2 m tall.
Leaves:
Basal leaves stalked and soon deciduous; stem leaves lanceolate to broadly lanceolate or egg-shaped, unstalked and usually clasping, 8-18 cm long, 1-3.5 cm wide, entire or shallowly toothed, glabrous or nearly so and tending to be glaucous.
Flowers:
Heads with ray and disk flowers, few to many in an open, round-topped inflorescence; involucres 5-7 mm tall; involucral bracts graduated, linear or often awl-shaped, sharply pointed with elongate green tips, margins fringed with small hairs; ray flowers 15-30, blue or purple, 6-10 mm long; disk flowers yellow.
Fruits:
Achenes 4-5 nerved, glabrous; pappus usually reddish.
USDA Species Characteristics
Flower Colour:
Purple
Blooming Period:
Mid Summer
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Brown
Present from Summer to Fall
Source: The USDA
Habitat and Range
Mesic to dry meadows and forests in the lowland and montane zones; common in S BC east of the Coast-Cascade Mountains and S of 55degreeN, less frequent in NE BC and S Vancouver Island, lacking from NW BC; N to NT, E to ON and S to KS, MO, UT, NM and OR.Status Information
| Scientific Name | Origin Status | Provincial Status | BC List (Red Blue List) | COSEWIC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symphyotrichum laeve var. geyeri | Native | SU | Unknown | Not Listed |
| Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve | Unlisted | Non-established | Not Listed |
BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer.