Summary ³

Symphyotrichum laeve (smooth blue aster, smooth aster, smooth-leaved aster, glaucous Michaelmas-daisy or glaucous aster) is a flowering plant native to Canada and the United States.

Description ⁴

Family:
Asteraceae (Aster)

Height:
1 to 3 feet

Leaves:
Leaves (up to 4” long) are thick with a smooth, waxy surface. They are bright green in color and clasp around the stem at their base.

Flower:
Clusters of purple, light blue, or white flowers (1” across) emerge from the top of the plant. Flowers have yellow centers and 15-30 petals.

Bloom time:
August-October

Nicknames:
Smooth Aster, Smooth American Aster

Habitat:
Smooth Blue Aster grows best in partial to full sun, in loamy soils ranging from dry to well-drained. It is commonly found in prairies, savannas, open woodlands, and it does well in soils with some clay, sand, or rock content. It is a common understory species in Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) communities.

Wildlife Benefits:
Nectar and pollen attract many species of bees and butterflies. The foliage is a food source for many other insects, as well as gamefowl, songbirds, small mammals, and deer.

Can I plant this in my garden?
This plant will do well in sunny areas with dry or well-drained, loamy soils. Its foliage is susceptible to mild damage from disease and herbivory, but it does well on most sites if given enough open space to establish.

References
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/smooth-blue-aster
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/sm_asterx.htm
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-laeve/

Range ⁴

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Joshua Mayer, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/wackybadger/25190486960/
2. (c) Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, all rights reserved, uploaded by Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District
3. Adapted by Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphyotrichum_laeve
4. (c) Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNat taxon page
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