A rather different aster

Symphyotrichum ericoides; click for considerably more detail.

While the Symphyotrichum subulatum that you saw yesterday is a diffuse aster whose flower heads grow in relative isolation, Symphyotrichum ericoides, known as heath aster, can produce dense masses of flowers like the ones shown here. I photographed them on the Blackland Prairie along the far eastern edge of Austin on November 3. This picture is good evidence that the prolonged drought hasn’t deterred these asters at all.

For more information about Symphyotrichum ericoides, including a state-clickable map showing the many places in North America where heath asters grow, you can visit the USDA website.

© 2011 Steven Schwartzman