Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (Aster oblongifolius)): purple Minnesota wildflowers

Aromatic Aster

Plant Info
Also known as:	Fall Aster
Scientific name:	Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (Aster oblongifolius)
Family:	Aster (Asteraceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun; dry pairies, rocky or sandy soil
Bloom season:	late summer, fall
Plant height:	1 to 2 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map

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Flower:: Flowers are 1 to 1½ inches across, with 20 to 35 petals (ray flowers), and a yellow center that turns reddish with age. Petal color ranges from lavender to blue-violet.
The bracts are narrow with pointed tips and curl back away from the flower base. The plant branches frequently and can have many flower heads.
Leaves and stem:: Leaves are generally oblong; very narrow with pointed tips and no leaf stem. They have a rough texture and are fairly stiff. Those near the base of the plant fall off early, leaving the lower part of the main stem bare. Lower leaves are up to 2½ inches long and less than ½ inch wide, becoming progressively smaller as they ascend the stem. Near the flowers the leaves may be only about ½ inch long. Attachment is alternate. The stems are slender and brown, and may be slightly hairy.
Notes:: This is one of the last flowers to bloom in the fall. There is no floral scent, but the leaves give off a pleasant aroma when crushed, and is where the common name comes from.

Photos taken at Fort Snelling State Park, St Paul, MN, September 2007

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