Asters

Asters, a Greek word for star, bloom between early August and the first frost.  The late blooming period is thought to be an adaptation to attract pollinators without competing against the majority of flower species in our area that bloom in spring and summer.  In return, asters provide an important source of nectar and pollen during the latter part of the year. 

Asters are classified by flower arrangement and leaf shape.  They are all members of the composite family Asteraceae, but many of the species that live in our area have been reclassified into a new genus Symphyotrichum, due to DNA differences with those species found in the old world.  Native species have both ray and disc flowers.  The tightly packed disc flowers make up the center of what is viewed as the whole flower or in florescense, and the petals coming out from the center are the fertile ray florets.  Seeds are wind-born and have pappus, a piece of fluff, attached to them, allowing the wind to efficiently move them over long distances.

The calorie-rich nectar is eaten by insects bulking up for hibernation including queen bumblebees, hoverflies, and several ant species.  Migrating butterflies, including monarchs, depend on the nectar for quick energy for their long travels.  Pearl crescent and painted lady caterpillars feed almost exclusively on aster leaves to fatten up before pupating.  Many backyard bird species over-wintering in this area eat the seeds including American goldfinch, tree sparrow, black-capped chickadee, pine siskin, and song sparrow.

Pictured with this article are many of the large variety of asters in bloom around the area.  Consider taking a walk in area woodlands to see Drummond’s aster, calico aster, heart-leaved aster, and Short’s aster.  A walk across the prairie may yield sights of rush aster, bushy aster, blue aster, heath aster, New England aster, and hairy aster.  You can also observe in fens and marshes panicled aster, shining aster, and bristly aster.  And even as you are driving home, be watchful for the expressway aster, which can easily tolerate the salt spray along the embankments of many byways.