Heath aster

Classification:

Family – Asteraceae, aster family
Genus, species – Symphyotrichum ericoides

Leaves:
Leaves are small, numerous, linear.

Flowers:
Flower heads are small with white or pale pink "petals." The petals are individual ray flowers. Heath aster is one of the last plants to produce flowers during autumn.

Habitat:
Requires full sun. Occurs in upland prairies, pastures, old fields, and roadsides.

More Information:

Heath aster is also known as farewell-to-summer and goodbye-meadow, first because it ushers in the fall and second because it tends to take over a field.

Etymology
The family name, Asteraceae, is from the Greek for “star,” referring to the star-shaped flower heads.  The species name, ericoides, is from the Greek for “heath.”

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