Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Smooth
Blue Aster
Symphyotrichum laeve (Aster laeve)
[C-value
8]
Aster family (Asteraceae)
Blooms August
-
mid-October
The native Smooth Blue Aster is uncommon in our area. It prefers full to partial sun and medium-moist soil. Habitats include black soil prairies, hill prairies, savannas, woodland edges and roadsides. This smooth erect perennial is 1-3' tall with variable stem-clasping leaves up to 6" long and 1¼" across. The central stem terminates in a panicle of flowers ½–1' long and about one-half as much across. Each flower is ½–1" across with 15-30 ray florets surrounding a dense head of numerous disk florets. The flower's rays are light lavender or light blue-violet and widely spreading.
Smooth Blue Aster at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve September 28, 2014
Smooth Blue Aster at Jay Woods Forest Preserve August 29, 2013
Smooth Blue Aster at Millbrook South Forest Preserve August 28, 2013
Smooth Blue Aster stem and leaves at Jay Woods Forest Preserve August 29, 2013
Click here for more information.
Copyright © 2011-2017 by Kendall County Forest Preserve District. All Rights Reserved.