Flower ID: IMG_5432.JPG-09-23-2020 Flower name (scientific): Symphyotrichum drummondii (Lindley) G. L. Nesom PY: 1995. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum (or sim-fy-oh-TREE-kum or sim-fe-o-TRIK-um) drum-AWN-dee-eye Flower name (common): Drummond's Aster Family name (common): Aster Family name (scientific): Asteraceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Greek symphysis for junction or growing together, and trichos for hair. The structural reference is uncertain, possibly alluding to a perceived basal connation of bristles in the type specimen. Specific epithet: Specific epithet honors Thomas Drummond (1790-1835). Common name origin: Named to honor the collector. Aster from the Greek for star, for the showy radiated flowers. Flower description: Size: 0.5 to 1.5 inches (1.3 to 3.8 cm) Petal count: 11, ray florets 8 to 20, disc florets 10 to 22. Color: blue or purple or white Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 18 to 48 inches (46 to 122 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Basal leaves upto 10 cm long and 6 cm wide. Proximal cauline leaves up to 12 cm long and 5 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, ovate to ovate-oblong, lanceolate to elliptic or suborbiculate (FNA), basal leaves are oval-cordate; cordate below, cordate-ovate to lanceolate above (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): September to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woodlands, thickets, bluffs, savannas, sun or semi-shade, dry. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Click for pollinator information on this flower. Similar species (if any): S. boreale (Northern Bog Aster), S. ciliolatum (Lindley's Aster), S. cordifolium (Blue Wood Aster), S. dumosum (Bushy Aster), S. ericoides (Heath Aster), S. falcatum (Western Heath Aster, White Prairie Aster), S. firmum (Smooth Swamp Aster), S. laeve (Smooth Blue Aster), S. lanceolatum (Panicled Aster), S. lateriflorum (Calico Aster), S. novae-angliae (New England Aster), S. oblongifolium (Aromatic Aster), S. ontarionis (Ontario Aster), S. oolentangiense (Sky-blue Aster), S. pilosum (Awl Aster), S. praealtum, S. prenanthoides, S. puniceum, S. racemosum, S. robynsianum, S. sericeum, S. shortii, S. subulatum, and S. urophyllum may resemble Symphyotrichum drummondii. Reduction to smaller groups of lookalikes can be accomplished by noting the ray floret color, disc floret color, flower size, leaf shape, etc. For a guide to sorting out the Symphyotrichum species click here. For some further tabulated data that may aid in sorting out the Symphyotrichum species click here. Ethnobotany: Latitude: 44.794462 Longitude: -91.495675 Altitude: 239.70 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Ashland, Barron, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Waukesha, Waushara) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NE, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, WI, WV) In Canada: References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Aster drummondii Lindley Companion Bot. Mag. 1: 97 (1835). Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Symphyotrichum drummondii var. drummondii (The other infraspecific is Symphyotrichum drummondii var. texanum (E. S. Burgess) G. L. Nesom which is recorded from several southern US states and northeast Mexico.)