Flower ID: IMG_3393.JPG-09-22-2019 Flower name (scientific): Symphyotrichum laeve (Linnaeus) Á. Löve & D. Löve PY: 1982. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum (or sim-fy-oh-TREE-kum or sim-fe-o-TRIK-um) LAY-vey Flower name (common): Smooth Blue 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: Smooth, not rough. Common name origin: From the absence of stem hairs (mostly), and the attractive blue color. Aster from the Greek for star, for the showy radiated flowers. Flower description: Size: 0.7 to 1.0 inches (1.8 to 2.5 cm) Petal count: 15, ray florets 11 to 34, disc florets 17 to 43. Color: blue or purple Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 12 to 36 inches (30 to 91 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Basal leaves up to 20 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. Proximal cauline leaves up to 15 cm long and 4.5 cm wide. Upper stem leaves up to 4.5 cm long and 1.4 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, (basal) spatulate or oblong to ovate or lanceolate-ovate, (proximal cauline) ovate or oblong-ovate to lanceolate or linear-lanceolate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): August to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woodlands, prairies, fields, thickets, savannas, bluffs, sun or semi-shade, dry to moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Click for pollinator information on this flower. Similar species (if any): S. ciliolatum (Lindley's Aster), S. drummondii (Drummond's Aster), S. falcatum (Western Heath Aster, White Prairie Aster), S. firmum (Smooth Swamp Aster), S. lanceolatum (Panicled Aster), S. oblongifolium (Aromatic Aster), S. puniceum (Purple-stemmed Aster), S. robynsianum (Robyn's Aster, Long-leaved Aster), and S. subulatum (Saltmarsh Aster) can be similar to Symphyotrichum laeve. 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: The Meskwaki employed the smoke from burning this plant to revive consciousness for an ill patient. It was also used as smoke in the sweat bath. In the following reference Smith uses the old synonym name Aster laevis for this plant (Smith, pp. 211-212, 1928). Latitude: 44.795565 Longitude: -91.513745 Altitude: 272.30 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, ON, QC, SK, YT) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Aster laevis Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 2: 876 (1753). Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve (The other infraspecifics are Symphyotrichum laeve var. concinnum (Willdenow) G. L. Nesom, Symphyotrichum laeve var. geyeri (A. Gray) G. L. Nesom, Symphyotrichum laeve var. purpuratum (Nees) G. L. Nesom. Each of these varieties have been recorded in the US.) Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU