ee, ee ee cx 
ASTER ERECTUS 149 
the suberect position is not due simply to dense crowding of heads, 
or if so it has since become fixed as a character, for the position 
still holds in the many diffuse variants in which the inflorescence 
is no longer crowded enough to cause any erecting of the rays. 
— Other closely allied species often show occasional similar 
examples of erect but flattened rays; observed in A. persaliens, A. 
fragrans, A. stilettiformis, A. excavatus, and A. atrovirens. In 
these cases most of the rays on a plant may be suberect, and all 
the plants of one cluster alike ; but still these cases are exceptional 
in their species; unless in A. atrovirens, where it is quite common ; 
but in A. erectus it is the rule. 
— Species unlike others in its dense single-bunch inflorescence ; 
except 4. divaricatus cymulosus, into which it perhaps passes, but 
which A. erectus is commonly unlike in its longer rays, suberect 
rays, redder disks, and broader, thinner, whiter bracts. It is also 
akin to A. fimbriatus in leaf-form, etc., and often grows with it, but 
is unlike it in its less sharply-toothed margins, its seldom fimbria- 
tion of rays, etc. Its bracts are perhaps nearest akin to those of 
A. fragrans, which is usually a larger plant, with larger more 
sharp-serrate leaves, longer narrower thinner rays, etc. It is per- 
haps closest to A. atrovirens, which however usually has longer 
leaves, more sharp-serrate, and smaller more segregated heads 
with different bracts. From its other near allies, A. st:/ett:formts, 
A. excavatus, and A. persaliens, it is readily distinguished by leaf- 
form and serration. 
— Scattered through moist rich woodlands near New York 
City; usually in small clusters; sometimes massed upon rock- 
shelves, in rich soil upon gneiss. Middle of September or earlier ; 
reaches its prime one or two weeks earlier than A. divaricatus 
cymulosus and A. fimbriatus when they grow beside it. 
Examples : 
N. Y. vic., Zn:woo4 ; May 22, ’97, then 6 and 8 in. high, with 4 or 6 leaves 
well developed; in late flower, Se. 27, '97, Se. 1903; Bedford Park, Se. 1903; 
Jerom 
e Av., Se. 26, 1900, Oc. 2, 1900; Mosholu Av., Oc. 2, '97; Yonkers, Bryn 
Mawr Park, in this woods by nd Age —— by the aggressive spread of 
"niei a monoica ; in flower Se. 26, 96, Oc. 2, !96, Se. 13, '97, Se. 18, '97, 
25, '97, Se. 14, '98, Se. 16, '99, Se 15, ati mainly dispossessed, Se. 1901, 
1902, but with survivors, Se. 14, 1903, Se. 1904. 
6' Divaricated form ; connecting A. erectus with A. divaricatus 
