Heath Aster

Symphyotrichum ericoides (L.) Nesom.

(formerly Aster ericoides L.)

Asteraceae (Sunflower Family

▲ mature plant

▲ ▼ flowers

Heath Aster:

simple perennial, native weed in the Aster family (Asteraceae)
produces numerous small, white daisy-like flowers in mid-late autumn
has narrow, lanceolate to oblanceolate leaves; flower heads have 8-20 petals, and bracts below inflorescence end in a short, thickened point
similar white heath aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum) flowers have almost linearl leaves among the inflorescences,and flowers have slightly narrower petals, and more petals per inflorescence (15-35) and the bracts below the inflorescence taper to a long, narrow point
similar bushy aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum) has very tiny, scale-like leaves on stems so that the stems almost appear leafless, and the flower petals are pinkish
similar to eastern daisy fleabane, or common fleabane except white heath aster has more linear to needle-like leaves on flowering branches and flowers on white heath aster have fewer petals and the center yellow disk is smaller and more globe-shaped
reproduces readily by seed
found in fields, pastures, roadsides
Control:
- grazing, cutting and mowing somewhat effective (can adapt and bloom under very short cutting height), tilling
- chemical control mostly by postemergent herbicides applied before flowering begins