Ontario Aster

Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

Ontario Aster
Symphyotrichum ontarionis (Aster ontarionis) [C-value 5]
Aster family (Asteraceae)
Blooms August - September

The native Ontario Aster is uncommon in our area. It prefers partial or dappled sunlight and slightly moist fertile loamy soil. Habitats include open woodlands, woodland openings, woodland borders, savannas, and moist meadows. This perennial is 1½–3' tall with a central stem branching from below the middle. During the flowering period, short secondary stems develop from the axils of the alternate lance-shaped narrow leaves (up to 3½" long and 1/2" across). The upper stems terminate in elongated panicles of flowers. Each flower spans about ½" across, consisting of 15-25 white ray florets and a similar number of disk florets initially yellow but reddish purple later.

Ontario Aster at Rose Hill Subdivision August 3, 2012

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