Wild Flowers East of the Rockies 349 



THE ASTERS. Genus (Aster). 



The members of this genus are exceedingly numer- 

 ous in species. Collectively they greatly outnumber 

 all the rest of the family combined. They are very 

 variable; some have large flower heads, others tiny 

 ones; some are quite tall, others barely rise above 

 the ground; some have few flowers on a plant while 

 on others they are exceedingly numerous. Their col- 

 ors are usually some shade of purple or white. They 

 all yield an abundance of nectar and are frequented 

 by numerous small bees. The tubular flowers, those 

 on the disc, or "button", in the center of the flower, 

 are regular and perfect; the ray florets are pistillate. 



The flowers are so numerous and vary so greatly, 

 one type gradually merging into another, that they 

 form a confusing Genus. The latest edition of Gray's 

 Botany describes 57 species; we refer anyone to this 

 work if they wish to learn the specific name of every 

 species. We will describe a few of the distinct and 

 most common types. 



NEW ENGLAND ASTER (Aster novae-anglae) is 

 one of the largest of the genus, its stem attaining 

 heights of from 2 to 6 feet; it is also one of the most 

 common and most popular species. 



The stem is stout, branched and rather rough. 

 The leaves are soft, hairy, lance-shaped and clasp the 

 stem by a somewhat heart-shaped base. The flowers 

 are in a broad corymb at the top of the stem. They 

 are quite large, measuring about an inch across; the 

 30 to 40 narrow rays are of a purplish color, often 

 quite bright. 



This species is not, as might be judged from its 

 name, a native of New England, only, but is common 

 from Me. to Minn, and southwards, blooming from 

 August to October, frequenting dry ground. 



