Aster (plant)
Aster is a common name used for several flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae), especially showy, late-season perennials with star-like flower heads.
Aster is a common name used for several flowering plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae), especially showy, late-season perennials with star-like flower heads. In modern classification, many plants once placed in the genus *Aster* have been reassigned to related genera, while the common name remains in use for a range of species. The plants are known for daisy-like blooms and for attracting pollinators in late summer and autumn.
Description
Asters are herbaceous flowering plants with daisy-like, star-shaped heads. Their blooms are usually purple, blue, pink, violet, or white, often with yellow or dark central disk florets.
Classification
Asters belong to the family Asteraceae. Modern taxonomy has narrowed the genus *Aster*, and many species once included there have been moved to other genera, especially in North America.
Ecology
Asters bloom late in the season and provide nectar and pollen when fewer plants are flowering. They are therefore valued by pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Cultivation
Many asters are grown as ornamental perennials in gardens for their autumn colour. They are widely used in temperate landscapes and can vary greatly in height and growth habit by species.
Key facts
- Aster is commonly used for a group of flowering plants in the daisy family, not just one species.
- Asters typically bloom in late summer and fall, when many other garden plants are finishing flowering.
- Their flower heads are composite, with ray florets around central disk florets.
- Many asters are important nectar sources for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
- Botanical classification has changed over time, and many North American species formerly placed in *Aster* are now in other genera such as *Symphyotrichum* and *Eurybia*.
Asters are familiar to Canadian gardeners and wildflower enthusiasts, and several native North American species occur in Canada. Canadian sources also note their value in autumn landscapes and for pollinators.
Frequently asked questions
What is an aster?
Are all plants called asters in the same genus?
When do asters bloom?
Why are they called asters?
What colours do aster flowers have?
References
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/aster-plantSupports: Defines aster as a common term for fall-blooming leafy-stemmed herbaceous plants in the Asteraceae family.
- Canadian Wildlife Federation — https://prod.cwf-fcf.org/en/resources/encyclopedias/flora/aster.htmlSupports: Describes asters as late-summer to late-fall bloomers with composite flower heads and pollinator value.
- Chicago Botanic Garden — https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plant-information/plant-profiles/asterSupports: Explains the Greek etymology, daisy-family placement, flower shape, colours, and pollinator attraction.
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/aster/Supports: Notes modern reclassification of the genus, North American species moving to other genera, and general growth and flowering traits.
- University of Wisconsin Horticulture — https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/asters/Supports: States asters are perennial Asteraceae plants that bloom late in the year in daisy-like colours and vary in size.