Minnesota Wildflowers


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Symphyotrichum puniceum (Purple-stemmed Aster)

Plant Info
Also known as: Red-stem Aster, Swamp Aster
Genus:Symphyotrichum
Family:Asteraceae (Aster)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; moist soil; swamps, along shores, edges of woods, thickets
Bloom season:August - October
Plant height:1 to 7 feet
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

Pick an image for a larger view. Most image enlargements are 50-100KB, though some may be larger. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower: 7+petals panicle

[photo of flowers] Flowers are in an open cluster on branching stems near the top of the plant. Individual flowers are from 1 to 1½ inches across with 30 to 60 slender, pale violet to blue-violet petals (ray flowers) and a yellow center disk that turns reddish purple with maturity. The bracts are very narrow and peel back away from the flower.

Leaves and stem: alternate simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are dark green, to 10 inches long and 1¼ inch wide, tapering to a sharp point at the tip, with fine widely spaced teeth and a prominent center vein. Attachment is alternate; leaves clasp the main stem and those near the base of the plant may drop off by flowering time. The texture is bristly.

[photo of stem] There are short hairs along the central vein on the underside of the leaf. The main stem usually becomes reddish purple as the plant matures and is sparsely to densely covered in stiff white hairs.

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More photos

Photos taken at Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park, Shoreview, MN August-September 2008

Comments

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

Posted by: Kaye in Brooklyn Park
on: 2011-07-15 10:27:33

Actually, I am not sure if what I have/see is a purple-stemmed aster, but this seems to be the closest (when looking at the pictures you have uploaded). The leaves are the same, the color, too, and most everything about the flower depicts the purple-stemmed variety. So, I know that it's an aster. However, the petals are a lot more profuse, thinner. Does anyone know what kind of aster this would be?

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2011-07-15 10:53:36

Kaye, there are similarities between purple-stemmed aster and New England aster. It typically has more numerous and narrower rays as you describe, and is also usually a deeper purple color. The leaves tend to be shorter and a bit more blunt at the tip than purple-stemmed. Maybe that was it.

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