304 BLUE AND PURPLE 



NEW ENGLAND ASTER: Starwort. 



Aster novae-dngliae. 



Composite Family. Aug. Oct. 



Most striking of the asters; found in 

 swamps, roadsides, moist ground. Maine, 

 westward and southwest. Like the golden- 

 rods, the number of different species of 

 asters, with their intergrading forms, is so 

 great as to render their identification difficult, 

 even for the experienced botanist. 

 FLOWER-HEADS Rays 40-50, light purple or vio- 

 let, disk yellow. 



LEAVES Lance-shaped, toothless, clasping stem 

 by a broad base. Plant stem stout, 

 branched, rough. 



