Authentic Wisconsin.  Smooth Blue Aster - Symphyotrichum laeve


Smooth Blue Aster in University of Wisconsin Arbortetum's Native Gardens on September 21, 2021.

Above: Smooth Blue Aster in University of Wisconsin Arbortetum's Native Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. (9/21/21).


Smooth Blue Aster - Symphyotrichum laeve

Smooth Blue Aster is a native plant that grows from 1' to 3' tall.

Smooth Blue Aster grows in full sun in open areas like meadows, prairies, fields, and open woods.

Smooth Blue Aster flowers are between blue and light purple in color with between 15-30 petals around a yellow disk. The flowers are about 1" across.

Blooms: August - October.

Other names include: Smooth Aster.

NOTE: Smooth Blue Aster grows in areas that also grow Sky Blue Aster. At first glance the flowers of Smooth Blue Aster and Sky Blue Aster look similar. However, Sky Blue Aster flowers are generally smaller (less than 1 inch across). Also, the rough, toothless leaves of Sky Blue Aster are arrowhead-shaped near the base and do not clasp the stem.

Bracts of Smooth Blue Aster.

Above: Bracts of Smooth Blue Aster (9/21/21).


Smooth Blue Aster leaves clasping around stem.

Above: The waxy and toothless leaves of Smooth Blue Aster extend around the stem and clasp it. The stalk is hairless. (9/21/21)

For more information on Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve), visit Wikipedia.

Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Herbarium website page about Smooth Blue Aster - Symphyotrichum laeve.


Smooth Blue Aster in UW Arboretum's native gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on September 21, 2021.
Smooth Blue Aster in UW Arboretum's native gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on September 21, 2021.
Smooth Blue Aster in UW Arboretum's native gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on September 21, 2021.
Smooth Blue Aster in UW Arboretum's native gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on September 21, 2021.
Smooth Blue Aster in UW Arboretum's native gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on September 21, 2021.
Lower leaves on Smooth Blue Aster in UW Arboretum's native gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on September 21, 2021.

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Wisconsin Wildflowers


Smooth Blue Aster
Symphyotrichum laeve


Smooth Blue Aster in Oak Savanna in Madison, Wisconsin on September 17, 2021.

Smooth Blue Aster in Oak Savanna in Madison, Wisconsin on September 17, 2021.

Smooth Blue Aster in Oak Savanna in Madison, Wisconsin on September 17, 2021.


Above: Smooth Blue Aster in Oak Savanna in Madison, Wisconsin on September 17, 2021.


Smooth Blue Aster in UW Arboretum's native gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on September 21, 2021.

Smooth Blue Aster in UW Arboretum's native gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on September 21, 2021.

Smooth Blue Aster in UW Arboretum's native gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on September 21, 2021.

Smooth Blue Aster in UW Arboretum's native gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on September 21, 2021.


Above: Smooth Blue Aster in UW Arboretum's native gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on September 21, 2021.


1913 illustration of Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve).


Above: 1913 illustration of Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve).


Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) botanical illustration by Mary Emily Eaton circa 1918.


Above: Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) botanical illustration by Mary Emily Eaton circa 1918.



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