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Native Plant Database

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Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve (Smooth blue aster)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve (L.) A.& D. Löve

Smooth blue aster, Smooth aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonyms: Aster laevis

USDA Symbol: SYLAL3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The stout, leafy stem of this perennial grows 2-4 ft., with dark-green foliage that is smooth on top and rough underneath. The attractive and numerous pale-lavender flowers with yellow centers occur in large, open heads atop the stems.

Variety laeve occurs in the eastern part of the range of S. laeve; there are three other varieties.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf: Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: ME to Yukon, s. to GA, LA, SD, NM, UT, n. ID & n.e. OR
Native Habitat: Open woods; dry to mesic prairies
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Variable.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Birds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Pearl Crescent
(Phyciodes tharos)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Sow seeds, 5/8 deep, outside in fall or provide cold stratification. Also propagated by softwood cuttings taken in late spring or by separating strong, outer rhizomes from large clumps.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-08-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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