The leaf is long, and narrow, tapering at the tip, and partly clasping the stalk at the base; the margin is slightly rough to the touch, the texture is firm and thick, and the surface is smooth to the touch. Color, a cool dark grayish-green. The arrangement is alternate.
The disc flowers are sometimes yellow, or often reddish-violet; the rays, from 20 to 30, are a deep rich violet. The heads are set in vase-shaped green cups, whose parts are overlapping; they are numerous in large terminal clusters.
As the flowers mature, the rays curl inward around the disc, and dry thus on the plant; its leafage is very fine in quality, and in beautiful harmony with the rich brilliance of the blossoms.
LATER PURPLE ASTER: A. patens.
| Branching Aster. | Aster cordifolius. |
Found in the latter part of September in shaded thickets and on dry banks.
The stalk is often about 4 feet high, very widely branching, leafy, and bearing a profusion of flowers; it has a coarse, very rough surface usually. In color reddish.
The leaf has a heart-shaped base, and pointed tip, a slightly notched or entire margin, and a coarse texture, the surface generally being rough above and also on the underside of the midrib; the upper leaves clasp the stalk, while the lower, and larger, leaves are set on short hairy stems. In color, a rather dull green. They are numerous all the way from foot to tip.
The many flower-heads, are small, with 14 to 20 delicate, short, pale-lavender rays; the cups are smooth and shining, and are set on leafy foot-stems, in large loose clusters.