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.
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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© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
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© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
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© Emily Oglesby | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
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© Emily Oglesby | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
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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