Lucas Land
Lowerie's Aster
Symphyotrichum lowrieanum
A smooth, branched 2-3' plant. The toothed leaves are rather thick and have a "greasy" feel. The lower leaves are lance-shaped with a heart shaped base and a distinctive broad-winged stalk. Upper leaves are sessile. The 3/4-1" flowers have 12-20 white or blue rays. The bracts lie flat and have square green tips, giving a checkerboard appearance. Blooms September-November in open woods, borders, roadsides.