Other common names:
Mountain Aster, Sharp-leaved Aster, Whorled Wood Aster Other scientific names: Aster acuminatus, Aster divaricatus French names:
Aster acuminé Family: Composite Family (Asteraceae) Group: Asters Distinctive features:
Woods. Short plant. Has what appear to be whorls of leaves. Flowers in a globular cluster at top of plant. Flower petals (rays) not straight like other asters. Similar species: • Flat-topped White Aster (Doellingeria umbellata) - Leaves are narrower. • Large-leaved Aster (Eurybia macrophylla) - Has large basal leaves, and all of its leaves are not in a whorl. Flowers: Summer, Autumn; White; 7 or more parts (petals); 2.5-4cm in diameter. Ray flowers: white or purple-tinged. Leaves: Alternate, Simple; Leaves appear to be in a whorl. Upper leaves are larger than lower leaves. Coarsely toothed, long-pointed. Height:
30-80 cm (11-31 in) Habitat: Forests; Woods. Lifespan:
Perennial. Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 456 Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 94 Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Not all that common in Ontario - very common in eastern Canada.
Notes:
This is a unique Aster that is very easy to identify.
For more information visit: Ontario Wildflowers Photographs:
13 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Here is the overall shape and form of the plant. The flowers are in a roughly globe-shaped cluster at the top of the plant. The plant itself is not very tall -- up to only about one foot tall.
A view from above. Note how the flowers spread out.
A close-up view of two flowers.
Note the whorled aspect to the leaves in this photo.
A "grove" of Whorled Asters. They may grow solitary or in colonies like this. These photos were taken in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in mid-September. In Ontario this Aster only occurs in a small part of far southeastern Ontario, close to Quebec.
