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Asteraceae
Symphyotrichum

not marked as a favorite taxon Symphyotrichum grandiflorum (Linnaeus) Nesom. Common name: Big-headed Aster. Phenology: Late Sep-Nov. Habitat: Dry woodlands, forest edges; roadbanks and powerline rights-of-way. Distribution: E. and c. VA south through e. and c. NC to nc. SC.

Glossary (beta!)

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Synonymy ⓘ: = FNA20, Va, Nesom (1994a); = Aster grandiflorus L. — C, F, G, RAB, S, SE1, W; = Lasallea grandiflora (L.) Semple & Brouillet — Semple & Brouillet (1980a); = Virgulus grandiflorus (L.) Reveal & Keener. Basionym: Aster grandiflorus L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Symphyotrichum grandiflorum - FNA20

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Heliophily ⓘ: 8

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image #1 of Symphyotrichum grandiflorum© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
image #2 of Symphyotrichum grandiflorum© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image #3 of Symphyotrichum grandiflorum© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #4 of Symphyotrichum grandiflorum© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image #5 of Symphyotrichum grandiflorum© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #6 of Symphyotrichum grandiflorum© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image #8 of Symphyotrichum grandiflorum© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image #11 of Symphyotrichum grandiflorum© Emily Oglesby | Original Image ⭷
image #13 of Symphyotrichum grandiflorum© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #14 of Symphyotrichum grandiflorum© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image #15 of Symphyotrichum grandiflorum© Emily Oglesby | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect, rhizomatous and colonial perennial of dry woodlands, forest edges, road banks and powerline rights-of-way.

Stems: Stem stiff, with long and ascending branches and 30+ nodes below the inflorescence, roughly to spreading-hairy.

Leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile with heart-shaped and clasping base, spreading, lance-shaped to oblong or linear, 1/3-2 1/2 in. long (much reduced upward), rough-hairy; lower leaves shrivel early.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in a terminal panicle; heads 1-1 1/4 in. wide, consisting of 20-30 narrow, violet ray florets encircling a center disk of 25-35 yellow (becoming reddish-purple) tubular florets. 3-4 series of spreading or reflexed, spoon- to oblong-lance-shaped bracts surround the bell-shaped base of each head.

Fruits: Fruit a tan-tufted achene.

Comments:

Height: 2-3 ft.

plant sale text: This SE native perennial is one of the last asters to bloom in the fall. It bears many flower heads in panicles, with yellow central disc flowers surrounded by lavender-blue rays. Large-flower American-aster is a fine late-season nectar source for butterflies. This perennial can tolerate sunny lean sites once it is established. Large-flower American-aster is found at the edges of woods and in old fields of the piedmont and coastal plain. Its native range is from Virginia to South Carolina.

bloom table text:

description: Erect, rhizomatous and colonial perennial of dry woodlands, forest edges, road banks and powerline rights-of-way.

stems: Stem stiff, with long and ascending branches and 30+ nodes below the inflorescence, roughly to spreading-hairy.

leaves: Leaves alternate, sessile with heart-shaped and clasping base, spreading, lance-shaped to oblong or linear, 1/3-2 1/2 in. long (much reduced upward), rough-hairy; lower leaves shrivel early.

inflorescence:

flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in a terminal panicle; heads 1-1 1/4 in. wide, consisting of 20-30 narrow, violet ray florets encircling a center disk of 25-35 yellow (becoming reddish-purple) tubular florets. 3-4 series of spreading or reflexed, spoon- to oblong-lance-shaped bracts surround the bell-shaped base of each head.

fruits: Fruit a tan-tufted achene.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code: 1

native range: VA, NC & SC



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