& New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) 

 Composite Family (Compositae) 



This is one of the native wildflowers found featured in nursery 

 catalogs. In addition to the violet-purple color, it is also found 

 in a beautiful rose-colored form. Examination of the upper 

 part of the stem reveals an attractive set of glandular hairs. 

 Also, the leaves clasp a portion of the stem rather than being 

 attached in the typical manner. 



Flat-Top Aster (Aster umbellatus) 



John and Kitty Kohout 



* Flat-Top Aster (Aster umbellatus) 

 Composite Family (Compositae) 



This plant is of interest to entomologists because it is the food 

 plant for the Harris checkerspot butterfly. It grows in moist 

 prairies, and especially in thickets in our dune area of Indiana. 

 Some species of this large genus grow along creeks and un- 

 doubtedly inspired the lines in the poem "September," by 

 Helen Hunt Jackson: 



The sedges flaunt their harvest in every meadow nook, 

 And asters by the brookside make asters in the brook. 



New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) 



& False Dragonhead (Physostegia virginiana) 

 Mint Family (Labiatae) 



This prairie wildflower is showy enough to be included in nurs- 

 ery catalog listings. It is also called obedient plant, because (if 

 the flower age is just right) you can turn the blossom upward, 

 downward, or sideways, where it will remain, and then turn it 

 back to its original position, where it will also remain. 



False Dragonhead (Physostegia virginiana) 



John and Kitty Kohout 



