HeathAster

=Heath Aster=

(Symphyotrichum ericoides)
Symphyotrichum ericoides or Heath Aster, is a native plant to North America, mostly the northwestern, central and eastern part of the United States. It is known to live in dry and moist soil. It can be identified by its yellow center. It also has many white or more rarely pink rays coming from the center. The center of the plant has been known to turn brown from the late summer all the way through fall.

Physical Appearance

 * Habitat: Dry-Moist soil
 * Flower Color: White or pink(rare) rays around a yellow center
 * Flower Size: Flowerhead 1/4-1/2 inch across
 * Flowering Time: July to October
 * Height: 1-3 Feet

Scientific Classification

 * Kingdom: Plantae
 * Division: Magnoliophyta
 * Class: Magnoliopsida
 * Order: Asterales
 * Family: Compositae
 * Tribe: Astereae
 * Genus: Symphyotricum

Habitat
Heath Aster prefers full sun and dry to average conditions. It can withstand many different substances in the soil including, but not limited to, loam, clay, gravel like materials and alkaline soil. A unique ability of the plant is that it is able to withstand extreme drought situations. It also tends to spread to vegitavely to form colonies, especially in open areas.

Links: [|Wikipedia Article]

[|Connecticut Botanical Society Article]

[|Illinois Wild Flowers Article]