Flower ID: IMG_1189.JPG-09-16-2018 Flower name (scientific): Symphyotrichum pilosum (Willdenow) 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) pil-OH-sum Flower name (common): Awl 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: Somewhat hairy, loosely pilose (covered in soft hairs). Refers to the hairs on the stem and leaves. Common name origin: From the shape of the phyllaries (the involucral bracts). Aster from the Greek for star, for the showy radiated flowers. Flower description: Size: 0.5 to 0.8 inches (1.3 to 2.0 cm) Petal count: 27, ray florets 10 to 38, disc florets 13 to 67. Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Raceme Plant description: Size: 12 to 60 inches (30 to 152 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: Basal leaves up to 6 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. Proximal cauline leaves up to 10 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. Distal cauline leaves up to 10 cm long and up to 8 mm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, (basal) oblanceolate or obovate to spatulate, (proximal cauline) elliptic-oblanceolate or -oblong to linear-lanceolate or -oblanceolate, (distal) lance-oblong to linear-lanceolate to linear or linear-oblanceolate or linear-subulate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): August to November Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Prairies, fields, meadows, savannas, bluffs, disturbed areas, roadsides, waste ground, sun or semi-shade, dry. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): S. boreale (Northern Bog Aster), S. drummondii (Drummond's Aster), S. dumosum (Bushy Aster), S. firmum (Smooth Swamp Aster), S. lanceolatum (Panicled Aster), S. lateriflorum (Calico Aster), S. ontarionis (Ontario Aster), S. racemosum (Small White Aster), S. subulatum (Saltmarsh Aster), and S. urophyllum (Arrowleaf Aster) can have some reseblance to Symphyotrichum pilosum. 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: 44.796722 Longitude: -91.512552 Altitude: 279.60 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Brown, Burnett, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, St. Croix, Taylor, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, 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, NB, NS, ON, QC) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Aster pilosus Willdenow Sp. Pl., ed. 4 [Willdenow] 3(3): 2025 (1803). Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym:Symphyotrichum pilosum var. pilosum (The other infraspecific is Symphyotrichum pilosum var. pringlei (A. Gray) G. L. Nesom which occurs widely in the eastern region of the US and Canada.)