Tidal Marsh/ Perennial Salt Marsh Aster

COMMON NAME: Perennial Salt Marsh Aster

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Large-Flowered Salt Aster

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Aster tenuifolius

FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMUNITY: Tidal Marsh

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 8 to 30 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Late August to October

FRUITING TIME: September to late October

DISTRIBUTION: Massachusetts to Florida, west to Louisiana ~ Throughout the coastal strip in NJ and Delaware Bay shore

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: One to three stems arise from a slender rhizome ~ Straggly, smooth stems, zigzag ~ Ray flower whitish or pale purple flowerheads from 1/2 to 1 inch wide, open inflorescence ~ Disc flower yellow to read ~ Leaves fleshy, linear, few and lower leaves often drop early

GENERAL INFORMATION: This large family (Asteraceae), commonly called the Aster Family, consists of 1,314 genera and 21,000 species of herbs, shrubs, climbers and a few trees is found chiefly in temperate and subtropical regions.  The plants are of value to man as ornamentals; a few are insecticides and fish poisons. The startlike flowerheads account for the Scientific and common name “aster”.  “Aster” is Greek for “star”. Salt Marsh Aster is found scattered in the salt marsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) or in openings on the marsh where it is associated with sea lavender (Limonium carolinianum) and purple gerardia (Agalinis purpurea). The closely related plant the Annual Salt Marsh Aster (Aster subulatus) has a much smaller flower head, from 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide.  The Annual Salt Marsh Aster is more robust, leafier and more branched. Because Perennial Salt Marsh Aster is sparse, it of little ecological value except for its aesthetic qualities. Native Americans ate the young leaves of many plants in the aster family as pot herbs.  A bath containing stems and flowers of asters was said to benefit suffers of rheumatism.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.