Symphyotrichum lanceolatum

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Perennial. Colony-forming from long, creeping rhizomes. Stems are typically pubescent in lines. Typical height is from 4 to 6 feet.

Flower heads are radiate; clustered along ascending to spreading branches in a tall, many-branched, inflorescence. Rays are white or very pale blue-violet. Disc floret corollas are yellow, turning reddish with age. Pappus bristles are often as long as disc corollas. Involucral bracts are loosely appressed or sometimes spreading. Dark green zones are oblanceolate, tapering gradually to base.

Basal and lowermost stem leaves are not present during flowering. Mid- to upper stem leaves and branch leaves are lanceolate or oblanceolate, often narrowly so. Leaf bases are not auriculate clasping.

Plants of damp meadows, thickets, roadside ditches, and mesic to wet disturbed sites. Flowers from mid-September into early November. Native.

Similar species: Symphyotrichum pilosum.

Three varieties of Symphyotrichum lanceolatum are found in the Northeast region. All 3 are in subspecies lanceolatum.

S. lanceolatum var. interior (Wiegand) G.L. Nesom
S. lanceolatum var. lanceolatum (Willd.) G.L. Nesom
S. lanceolatum var. latifolium (Semple & Chmiel.) G.L. Nesom.

1a. Involucres are 3-4 mm high.  (var. interior)

1b. Involucres are 3.6-5.6 mm high.

      2a. Stem leaves are broadly oblanceolate, less than 12 times
            longer than wide. Involucres are 4-5.5 mm high.
            (var. latifolium)

      2b. Stem leaves are linear to narrowly oblanceolate, usually
            12 or more times longer than wide. Involucres
            3.5-5(-6) mm high. (var. lanceolatum)
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When two or more varieties are present in the same population, they may cross, producing forms with intermediate character states. Identification to variety may be difficult in those cases. When necessary, identification is to subspecies.

Reference: Flora of North America (2006).

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