Dec . , 1017] The A sterecB of Oh io 47 



leaves broad, cordate, with a large irregular sinus, thick, 

 rough and harsh above; teeth broad curved and pointed, on 

 long petioles; the upper leaves smaller and narrower, oblong, 

 on short winged petioles; the uppermost sessile and acute. 

 Heads about \ in. high on rigid thickened peduncles forming 

 a broadly corymbose irregular inflorescence; rays often 16, 

 lavender or violet, rarely pale; bracts of the involucre con- 

 spicuously green-tipped, the outer short-ovate, the inner 

 elongated and linear, sometimes roseate tinged on the margins. 

 In moderately dry soil, in shaded places. August. Rather 

 general; no specimens from the southwestern counties. 



3. Aster shortii Hook. Short's Aster. Slender plants 

 paniculately branched above, with smooth or roughish stems, 

 2-4 ft. high. Leaves thick, smooth above, minutely pubescent 

 beneath; the lower and basal ones ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 

 acute to acuminate at the apex, cordate at the base, dentate 

 or entire, 2-6 in. long, 1-2 in. wide, on slender petioles; the upper 

 leaves lanceolate, entire, rounded at the base, sessile or on short 

 petioles; inflorescence leaves small and bract-like. Heads 

 numerous, rays 10-15, linear, violet blue, | in. or less long; 

 bracts of the broadly companulate involucre linear, acute, 

 pubescent, with green appressed tips, imbricated in several 

 series. Pappus tawny. On banks and along edges of woods. 

 September-October. From Franklin and Montgomery Counties 

 southward; also in Lake and Ottawa Counties. 



4. Aster azureus Lindl. Azure Aster. Stem slender, stiff, 

 rough, branched above, 1-4 ft. high. Leaves thick, entire, 

 rough on both sides; the basal ones ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 

 acute to obtuse at the apex, somewhat cordate at the base, on 

 slender naked petioles; upper leaves tapering to short petioles 

 or sessile, lanceolate or linear; inflorescence leaves reduced to 

 small appressed bracts. Heads numerous; rays 10-20, bright 

 blue; bracts of the turbinate involucre glabrous, linear-oblong, 

 acute, imbricated in several series, with green appressed tips. 

 Pappus tawny. Along borders of woods. August-October. 

 Franklin, Wood, Fulton, Erie. 



o. Aster cordifolius L. Common Blue Wood Aster. Bushy 

 much branched plants with glabrous or rarely pubescent stems, 

 1-5 ft. high. Leaves thin, rough, often with scattered hair 

 above and on veins beneath; lower and basal ones ovate- 

 cordate, on slender scarcely winged petioles 2-5 in. long; the 



