Symphyotrichum lateriflorum

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Perennial. Stems are solitary or clustered from a woody caudex or from short rhizomes. Typical height is from 2 to 3 feet. Branches are typically widely spreading, often perpendicular to the stem. Branch leaflets are often oriented toward the base of the branch (i.e., angled "backwards").

Flower heads are usually distributed along most of branch lengths. Flower heads are radiate. Rays are white. Disc floret corollas are very pale yellow or nearly translucent, turning pink/magenta with age. Disc corolla lobes are characteristically as long as or longer than the fused portion of the corollas. Involucral bracts are well-appressed. Dark green zones vary from oblanceolate to diamond-shaped.

Principal stem leaves vary from lance-linear or oblanceolate to ovate/elliptic, lacking petioles. Undersides of leaves are glabrous except along the midvein.

Plants of woods, clearings, roadsides, damp meadows, thickets. Flowers mid-August through September. Native..