Large-leaved Aster

Plant Info

Also known as:	Big-leaf Aster
Scientific name:	Eurybia macrophylla
Family:	Aster (Asteraceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	part shade to shade; open woods
Bloom season:	summer to early fall
Plant height:	1 to 4 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Flowers are ½ to 1 inch across, 9 to 20 pale blue to violet petals (ray flowers) irregularly spaced around the yellow center. The center turns reddish brown with age. One plant may have several flowers sparsely clustered at the top of the plant; the flower stems arising from the leaf axils.

Leaves:

The leaves near the base of the plant are large and heart-shaped, up to 8 inches long and 6 inches wide, on long stems. They become progressively smaller up the main stem; leaves at the top of the plant have little or no leaf stem. All leaves are coarsely toothed; attachment is alternate.

Notes:

Not all plants have flowering stems. Those plants without flowers stay low to the ground with just the large basal heart-shaped leaves.

More photos

• full size plant, about 3 feet tall
• another picture of the flowers

More blue wildflowers. Photos taken at Pioneer Park, Blaine, MN, July-August 2007

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?

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Please: Do not ask about where to buy seed or other gardening questions, are plants edible, etc. I am not a horticulturist or botanist, just an enthusiastic hobbyist so I probably don't know the answer. Please check the links page for additional resources. -thanks much

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