Common name: Wild Aster, Bushy Starwort
Aster subulatus Michx. APNI* Synonyms: Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G.L.Nesom APNI*
Description: Annual, biennial or short-lived perennial, 0.3–1.8 m high, erect, almost glabrous; stems branched above, rigid, smooth, reddish.
Leaves linear-lanceolate to narrow-lanceolate, 1–15 cm long, 3–10 mm wide, apex acute, margins entire; stem-clasping.
Heads numerous, in loose leafy panicles; peduncles branched, with numerous bracts 2–10 mm long. Heads cylindrical, 2–4 mm diam.; involucral bracts 3- or 4-seriate, often reddish with a green centre, glabrous. Ray florets white, pink or blue; ligule 3–5 mm long. Disc florets few.
Achenes 1.5–2 mm long, narrow, 4–5 ribbed, sparsely hairy; pappus whitish. Weed of seasonally wet or poorly drained land and damp areas such as swamp edges and roadside drains.
Flowering: throughout the year but mainly winter.
Distribution and occurrence: Native of N Amer.
NSW subdivisions: *NC, *CC, *SC, *NT, *CT, *ST, *NWS, *CWS, *SWS, *NWP, *SWP, *NFWP, *SFWP, *LHI
Other Australian states: *Qld *Vic. *W.A. *S.A.
Text by M. F. Porteners
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 3 (1992)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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