Calico aster, small white flowers with colorful centers.
Calico aster, Symphyotrichum lateriflorum, takes its name from the diverse colors of its disk florets as they mature. Each flower has about 10 white ray florets surrounding numerous disk florets that change colors over time, from yellow to orange, red-orange, and then purple. Its alternate leaves grow up to 4½” long and ½” across towards the base, and are smaller as they ascend the stems. They are lance-shaped with a few teeth toward the tips of the larger leaves.
The flowers are about ⅓” across, which is smaller than other, similar white aster species. Frost aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum), panicled aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum), and white heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides) all bloom at the same time from late summer to fall but favor different habitats. Calico aster prefers light shade to partial sun and moist conditions, including woodland borders and openings, while heath aster prefers open prairies and frost aster prefers drier habitats. Panicled aster prefers full to partial sun and moist conditions.
Calico aster attracts a wide variety of wildlife. Many different winged insects visit the flowerheads for nectar and/or pollen, while beetles, grasshoppers, katydids, and caterpillars feed on the foliage. Some herbivorous mammals, such as deer, rabbits, and livestock, graze on the foliage, while the seeds attract birds including American tree sparrow and ruffed grouse.
What signs of fall do you see? Visit us for a hike or take a walk around your neighborhood looking for cyclical events influenced by seasonal changes.
