Hairy Aster

Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

Hairy Aster (Frost Aster)
Symphyotrichum pilosum (Aster pilosum) [C-value 1]
Aster family (Asteraceae)
Blooms mid-August - October

The native Hairy Aster is common in our area. It prefers full sun and slightly moist to dry conditions. This perennial grows to 3½' tall and similarly across, sending up one or more leafy stems that branch occasionally. The stems are light green and hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 4½" long and ¾" across toward the base of the plant, becoming gradually smaller up the stems. The upper stems terminate in panicles of flowers up to 2' long and 1¼' across. Individual flowers are about ½–¾" across, consisting of 15-35 ray florets that surround a flattened head of disk florets. The petaloid rays of these flowers are white (or light pink or light blue-violet) and widely spreading when fully open.

Hairy Aster at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve September 25, 2014

Hairy Aster at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve September 11, 2013

Hairy Aster at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve September 15, 2012

Veined White butterfly on Harry Aster at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve September 8, 2013

Hairy Aster at Hoover Forest Preserve prairie September 28, 2014

Hairy Aster foliage at Hoover Forest Preserve prairie September 28, 2014

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