Smooth Aster

Latin Name: Symphyotrichum laeve

Facts about Smooth Aster:

• Perennial plant that blooms from August to October.

• Height: 30 cm to 1 m, Spread: 60 cm to 75 cm

• Sun Exposure: Full Sun

• Looks Like:

  • Prefer dry or moist open areas

  • Smooth, waxy, almost rubbery bluish-green leaves

  • Smooth stem Pale blue ray flowers

  • Disc flowers turn from yellow to purple

BioDiversity Benefits:

• Smooth Aster is used for mixed grass and tall grass prairie restoration, and roadside vegetation.

• This plant is a forage source for white-tailed deer, and is also consumed by wild turkeys. It has a high nutritional value that decreases with maturity.

• It is attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. It provides shelter to butterflies, and is often used in pollinator gardens. It is also a popular cut flower.

Historical Use:

• Some Native American tribes brewed a tea from aster plants to relieve headaches, and the smoke from burning the plant was used to revive persons who had fainted.