Other common names:
Glaucous Aster, Smooth Blue Aster, Smooth-leaved Aster Other scientific names: Aster laevis French names:
Aster lisse Family: Composite Family (Asteraceae) Group: Asters Distinctive features:
Very smooth, waxy, almost rubbery leaves. Smooth stem. Similar species: • New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) - flowers have many more rays, leaves & stem are rough. • Azure Aster (Symphyotrichum oolentangiense) - also has few ray flowers. • Purple-stemmed Aster (Symphyotrichum puniceum) - also may have a purplish stem. Flowers: Summer, Autumn; Blue/Violet; 7 or more parts (petals); 2-3cm in diameter. Ray flowers: about 17, pale blue, rarely white. Disc flowers: 24-40, yellow becoming purple. Sparse, open flower head. Leaves: Alternate, Simple, Entire; Unique: Smooth, waxy, thick, almost rubbery. Bluish-green, not toothed. Clasping stem a little. Height:
50-100 cm (19-39 in) Stem:
Waxy, smooth, with a whitish bloom. Habitat: Fields and Open Areas, Meadows, Moist Meadows; Open areas, dry or moist. Grows in Sun/Shade:
Sun Lifespan:
Perennial. Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 460 Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 356 Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Fairly common.
Notes:
This is a fairly easy Aster to identify. The leaves are unique.
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: laeve: smooth For more information visit: Ontario Wildflowers Photographs:
201 photographs available, of which 13 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
This shows the general shape and form of Smooth Aster.
Side view of a flower.
Closeup of a Smooth Aster flower.
Smooth Aster flower in the morning dew.
Typical Smooth Aster leaf.
Smooth, leathery leaves, slightly clasping the smooth stem.
Underside of a leaf.
Sometimes the stem is very purple, thus leading to confusion with Purple-stemmed Aster (Symphyotrichum puniceum) (although the stems of that plant are usually fuzzy) - always use the leaves to identify Smooth Aster.
