Heart-Leaved Aster

Oct 25

Written By Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association

Aster cordifolius (new name: Symphyotrichum cordifolium) (Heart-Leaved Aster)

A very late-season source of nectar for bees and butterflies (and a host plant for the Pearl Crescent butterfly) this is now blooming abundantly in our area despite something like a month without significant rainfall and moderate to warm temperatures. Most plants produce masses of dime to nickel-sized flowers of pale blue, though on some plants nearly white and medium blue/purple are normal, and there are some plants that bear much smaller and fewer flowers – a fine example of robust, and common, genetic diversity within a species.

The central disc is first yellow, then darkens to soft purple as the flower moves into seed formation - the means by which it spreads, seemingly effortlessly - into partly and fully shaded locations. Generally left alone by deer, and at this moment in time, intermingling with the peak of fall color showing in our oaks, maples, dogwoods, spicebush, tulip poplar, musclewood, etc., is an easily appreciated bit of the magic performed in our landscapes’ segue out of summer.