Flower ID: IMG_1932.JPG-09-01-2017 Flower name (scientific): Symphyotrichum urophyllum (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) ur-oh-FIL-um Flower name (common): Arrowleaf 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: Having leaves like a tail. Common name origin: Refers to the shape of the leaves like an arrow. 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: 8, ray florets 8 to 20, disc florets 8 to 20. Color: white, with a pale yellow disc that turns red with age. Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Erect Size: 12 to 48 inches (30 to 122 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is basal and alternate, type is simple Size: Basal and proximal cauline leaves up to 12 cm long and 5 cm wide. Distal cauline leaves up to 10 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, (basal) ovate to lance-ovate or lanceolate, (proximal cauline) ovate to lanceolate (FNA), (basal) cordate to ovate, (cauline) lanceolate-ovate to elliptic (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): August to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woodland openings, thickets, fields, meadows, savannas, bluffs, disturbed areas, roadsides, sun or semi-shade, dry to moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): This species has similar characteristics with S. cordifolium (Blue Wood Aster) and S. drummondii (Drummond's Aster). Color of the ray florets can help distinguish the present species from these other two asters. S. boreale (Northern Bog Aster), S. dumosum (Bushy Aster), S. firmum (Smooth Swamp Aster), S. lateriflorum (Calico Aster), S. ontarionis (Ontario Aster), S. pilosum (Awl Aster), and S. racemosum (Small White Aster) may also have some resemblance to S. urophyllum. 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: Longitude: Altitude: 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, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) In Canada: (ON) References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Aster urophyllus Lindley Prodr. [A. P. de Candolle] 5: 233 (1836). Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na