Sky Blue Aster

Symphyotrichum oolentangiense

''Symphyotrichum oolentangiense'' , commonly known as skyblue aster or azure aster, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to eastern North America.
Symphyotrichum oolentangiense (Sky-blue Aster)  Asteraceae,Geotagged,Sky-blue Aster,Summer,Symphyotrichum oolentangiense,United States,aster

Appearance

The plants are 20 to 150 cm tall with one to several herbaceous stems. The alternate simple leaves have a rough texture. The composite flowers, produced between August and October, have blue to violet rays.
Symphyotrichum oolentangiense (Sky-blue Aster) Details of uppermost leaves (reduced to scales) and diamond-shaped bracts of the flower head with sharp dark tips. Asteraceae,Geotagged,Sky-blue Aster,Summer,Symphyotrichum oolentangiense,United States,aster

Distribution

''Symphyotrichum oolentangiense'' is found in prairies, open woodlands, savannahs and other open habitats. It occurs widely in the midwest and eastern prairies in the United States from Texas to Minnesota, and also extends into Mexico in Coahuila and to Ontario in Canada. The species is endangered in New York.

Habitat

''Symphyotrichum oolentangiense'' is found in prairies, open woodlands, savannahs and other open habitats. It occurs widely in the midwest and eastern prairies in the United States from Texas to Minnesota, and also extends into Mexico in Coahuila and to Ontario in Canada. The species is endangered in New York.The flowers attract a wide variety of insect species, including bees, bee flies, butterflies, beetles and others. A wide variety of herbivourous insects also consume the vegetation. The seeds are dispersed by wind. The species is typical of higher quality natural areas, especially those with disturbances such as wildfire.

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderAsterales
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusSymphyotrichum
SpeciesS. oolentangiense