Symphyotrichum undulatum (Linnaeus) Nesom. Common name: Wavyleaf Aster. Phenology: Aug-Nov. Habitat: Dry forests, woodlands, glades, roadbanks. Distribution: NS west to s. ON, south to c. peninsular FL and LA.
ID notes: Extremely variable across its range. Less distinctly clasping-leaved plants, especially in open woodlands of the Gulf Coastal Plain, have been mistaken for S. oolentangiense.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Fl7, FNA20, Il, K4, NE, NY, Pa, Tn, Va, WH3, Nesom (1994a); = Aster undulatus L. — C, G, Oh3, RAB, SE1, Tat, W; > Aster asperifolius E.S.Burgess — S; > Aster claviger E.S.Burgess — S; > Aster corrigiatus E.S.Burgess — S; > Aster gracilescens E.S.Burgess — S; > Aster linguiformis E.S.Burgess — S; > Aster loriformis (E.S.Burgess) E.S.Burgess — S; > Aster mohrii E.S.Burgess — S; > Aster proteus E.S.Burgess — S; > Aster sylvestris E.S.Burgess — S; > Aster triangularis (E.S.Burgess) E.S.Burgess — S; > Aster truellius E.S.Burgess — S; > Aster undulatus L. — S; > Aster undulatus L. var. asperulus (Torr. & A.Gray) Wood; > Aster undulatus L. var. diversifolius (Michx.) A.Gray — F; > Aster undulatus L. var. loriformis E.S.Burgess — F, WV; > Aster undulatus L. var. undulatus — F, WV; Aster undulatus L. Basionym: Aster undulatus L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Symphyotrichum undulatum - FNA20
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Heliophily ⓘ: 7
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© Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
© Alaina Krakowiak, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alaina Krakowiak source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Brian Finzel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Brian Finzel source CC-BY-SA | Original Image ⭷
© Grant Morrow Parkins | Original Image ⭷
© Alaina Krakowiak, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alaina Krakowiak source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Symphyotrichum undulatum, Lake Burton Dunite Ridge, Chattahoochee National Forest, Rabun County, Georgia 3 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
© Amanda Faucette | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect or spreading-ascending, rhizomatous perennial found in dry forests, woodlands, glades and on road banks.
Stems: Stems 1-several, with 8-25 nodes below the inflorescence, stiff, usually densely hairy.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, the lower ones on clasping winged petioles with a basal flare (upper leaves clasping without a petiole), oval to lance-oval (lower leaves with heart-shaped base), 1 1/2-6 in. long, entire or toothed, rough above and downy beneath.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in an open to compact panicle (sometimes raceme-like), the branches spreading and with numerous bracts; heads about 3/4 in. wide, consisting of 8-20 light blue or violet (rarely white), narrow ray florets encircling a center disk of yellow or reddish tubular florets. 4-5 series of unequal green bracts with (often) purple tips closely surround the bell-shaped base of each head
Fruits: Fruit an achene with cream-colored tuft of hairs.
Comments:
Height: 2-5 ft.
plant sale text: Wavy-leaf American-aster has an upright habit and combines well with other late-summer perennials. It produces creamy-white ray flowers, surrounding yellow disc flowers, in upright flat-topped clusters. Its species name, undulatum, refers to its wavy leaves. This perennial prefers full sun and moist soil. It is generally seen growing in marshes, or at the edges of moist woods. It spreads by means of rhizomes as well as by seed.
bloom table text:
description: Erect or spreading-ascending, rhizomatous perennial found in dry forests, woodlands, glades and on road banks.
stems: Stems 1-several, with 8-25 nodes below the inflorescence, stiff, usually densely hairy.
leaves: Leaves alternate, the lower ones on clasping winged petioles with a basal flare (upper leaves clasping without a petiole), oval to lance-oval (lower leaves with heart-shaped base), 1 1/2-6 in. long, entire or toothed, rough above and downy beneath.
inflorescence:
flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in an open to compact panicle (sometimes raceme-like), the branches spreading and with numerous bracts; heads about 3/4 in. wide, consisting of 8-20 light blue or violet (rarely white), narrow ray florets encircling a center disk of yellow or reddish tubular florets. 4-5 series of unequal green bracts with (often) purple tips closely surround the bell-shaped base of each head
fruits: Fruit an achene with cream-colored tuft of hairs.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern United States
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