Flower ID: IMG_1190.JPG-09-16-2018 Flower name (scientific): Symphyotrichum oolentangiense (Riddell) 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 or sim-fie-oh-TRICK-um or sim-fee-oh-TRY-kum) oh-oh-len-TAN-jee-in-see (or oh-oh-len-TAN-jee-EN-sis) Flower name (common): Sky 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: Refers to the Olentangy River in Ohio, location of the collection of the type specimen. This misspelling of the epithet was introduced when the species was first named by John Leonard Riddell as Aster oolentangiensis in 1835. Common name origin: From the attractive color of the flowers. Aster from the Greek for star, for the showy radiated flowers. Flower description: Size: 0.5 to 1.3 inches (1.3 to 3.3 cm) Petal count: 12, ray florets 10 to 25, disc florets 15 to 30. 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 15 to 18 cm long and 4 to 6 cm wide. Proximal cauline leaves up to 13 cm long and 7 cm wide. Distal cauline leaves up to 8 cm long and 1 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, ovate to lance-ovate (FNA), (lower) narrowly oval to ovate, (upper) linear-oblong (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): August to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Prairies, woodland openings, bluffs, savannas, sun to semi-shade, dry to moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): S. boreale (Northern Bog Aster), S. ciliolatum (Lindley's Aster), S. cordifolium (Blue Wood Aster), S. drummondii (Drummond's Aster), S. dumosum (Bushy Aster), S. falcatum (Western Heath Aster, White Prairie Aster), S. firmum (Smooth Swamp Aster), S. laeve (Smooth Blue Aster), S. lanceolatum (Panicled Aster), S. novae-angliae (New England Aster), S. oblongifolium (Aromatic Aster), S. praealtum (Willow Aster), S. prenanthoides (Crooked Aster), S. puniceum (Purple-stemmed Aster), S. robynsianum (Robyn's Aster, Long-leaved Aster), S. sericeum (Silky Aster), S. shortii (Short's Aster), S. subulatum (Saltmarsh Aster), and S. urophyllum (Arrowleaf Aster) can have some resemblance to Symphyotrichum oolentangiense. 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: 44.795505 Longitude: -91.513698 Altitude: 270.30 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washburn, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NY, OH, OK, SD, TN, TX, WI) In Canada: (ON) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Aster oolentangiensis Riddell W. J. Med. Phys. Sci. 8: 495 (April) (1835). Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na