A GUIDE TO THE WILD FLOWERS 283 



the numerous branchlets. In moist places, Quebec to No. 

 Carolina, and westward. September. Fig. 866. 



867. Smooth Aster. Aster lacvis. A perfectly smooth ^ 

 branching perennial, often bluish-green, 3-6 ft. high. Leaves 

 toothless, rarely with a few distant teeth, the upper ones 

 stem clasping, the lower merely stalked, lance-oblong, 2-5 



in. long. Flowers blue, showy, the heads about 1^4 ^^- wide, 

 numerous in branched clusters. In moist or dry open places, 

 Maine and Ontario to Louisiana, and westward. September. 

 Fig. 867. A related species, A. concinnus, has linear leaves, 

 and violet flowers. It is comparatively rare from Conn, to 

 Virginia and westward. 



868. New York Aster. Aster novi-belgii. Much like No. 

 867, but lower and with violet flowers in heads somewhat 

 smaller. It grows in wet places from Newfoundland to 

 Georgia, mostly near the coast, and may be a trifle hairy 

 towards the summit. September. 



869. Stiff Aster. lonactis linariifolius. (Aster linariifolius.) 

 A stiflF wiry plant not over 12 in. high, and usually growing 

 in clumps. Leaves linear, standing out from the stem, hairy, 

 sharp pointed, 3^-1 in. long, toothless. Flowers violet, the 

 heads few, terminating the branches, and about i in. across. 

 In dry places. Newfoundland to Florida, and westward. 

 August. Fig. 869. 



870. Silvery Aster. Aster concolor. Unlike any other Aster 

 in the area in having silvery foliage, and a simple, very 



