Flower ID: IMG_1969.JPG-09-10-2017 Flower name (scientific): Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (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) la-ter-uh-FLOR-um Flower name (common): Calico 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: From the Latin latus for side and florum for flower, hence with a one-sided inflorescence. Common name origin: From the multiple color variations of the flowers, resembling the gayly colored calico originally imported from India. Aster from the Greek for star, for the showy radiated flowers. Flower description: Size: 0.4 to 0.6 inches (1.0 to 1.5 cm) Petal count: 9, ray florets typically 8 to 15, up to 23, disc florets 8 to 20. Color: white or yellow Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 12 to 48 inches (30 to 122 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is basal and alternate, type is simple Size: Basal leaves up to 3.5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. Proximal cauline leaves up to 10 to 15 cm long and 2 to 3.5 cm wide. Distal cauline leaves up to 15 cm long and 3 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, (basal) oblanceolate, lance-ovate or ovate to spatulate or suborbiculate, (proximal cauline) ovate or elliptic to elliptic-oblanceolate or lanceolate, rarely linear-lanceolate, (distal) ovate, lance-ovate, lance-elliptic, or oblanceolate to lance-linear or linear (FNA), lanceolate, oblanceolate, or elliptic, becoming linear near the flowerheads (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): August to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Meadows, fields, woods, forests, thickets, sun or semi-shade, moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Click for pollinator information on this flower. Similar species (if any): S. dumosum (Bushy Aster), S. ericoides (Heath Aster), S. lanceolatum (Panicled Aster) S. ontarionis (Ontario Aster), S. pilosum (Awl Aster), and S. racemosum (Small White Aster) can resemble Symphyotrichum lateriflorum. 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 in the sweat bath. The plant was also utilized as a psychological aid. In the following reference Smith uses the old synonym name Aster lateriflorus for this plant (Smith, p. 212, 1928). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV) In Canada: (BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, QC) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Solidago lateriflora Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 2: 879 (1753). Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na