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Photographer: Merel R. Black
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Family Asteraceae
Aster firmus Nees
shining aster, shiny-leaved aster
Aster: from the Greek aster, "a star," describing the radiate heads of the flowers
firmus: firm, strong, durable, stable
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| Status: | Native |
| Plant: | erect, perennial, 2' - 8' tall forb, stems often with fine lines of hairs; forming colonies from long, creeping rhizomes |
| Flower: | head 3/4""-1 1/2" wide with 30-60 pale blue to white rays; inflorescence dense, branched clusters with many leaves; blooms Aug.-Oct. |
| Fruit: | dry, smooth seed |
| Leaf: | crowded, light green, often shiny, mostly entire, stalkless, slightly clasping, lance-like to oblong |
| Habitat: | moist; swamps, fens |
| (Glossary) |
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