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Photographer: Merel R. Black
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Family Asteraceae
Aster oolentangiensis Riddell
azure aster, prairie heart-leaved aster, sky-blue aster
Aster: from the Greek aster, "a star," describing the radiate heads of the flowers
oolentangiensis: refers to the collection site of the type specimen on the Oolentangy River in Ohio
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| Status: | Native |
| Plant: | erect, perennial, 2'-3' tall forb |
| Flower: | head 3/4"-1 1/3" wide with 10-25 blue to pink rays; bracts (phyllaries) with short, dark, diamond-shaped tip; inflorescence loose, branched cluster; blooms Aug.-Oct. |
| Leaf: | mostly toward the bottom of the stem, thick, stiff, usually entire, lower leaves on long, often winged stalked, base usually heart-shaped, upper surface rough; upper leaves lance-like, stalkless but not clasping |
| Habitat: | full to partial sun; dry to moderate moisture; prairies, meadows; in sandy, loamy soil |
| (Glossary) |
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