THE ASTERS 
Genus (Aster) 
The members of this genus are exceedingly numerous 
in species. 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 colors are usually some shade of pur¬ 
ple or white. 
New England Aster (Aster novce-anglce) is one of 
the largest of the genus, its stem attaining heights of 
from 2 to 6 feet. 
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 common from Me. to Minn, and south¬ 
wards, blooming from August to October, frequenting 
dry ground. 
182 
