Thicket/ Small-Headed Aster

COMMON NAME: Small-Headed Aster

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Aster racemosus

FAMILY: Asteraceae

COMMUNITY: Thicket

STATUS: Native   

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: to 4 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Late August to late October

FRUITING TIME: Late September to November

DISTRIBUTION: Maine to Florida ~ Throughout New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Colonial by long rhizomes ~ Stems stiff, erect, prominently angles ~ Leaves hairy, linear, slightly toothed ~ Flower on long, stiff, branch, ray flowers white

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 name of this family (Asteraceae) and this genus (Aster) is Greek and means “star” from the radiate heads of the flowers.  The name of this species, racemosus, means “resembling a raceme”; a simple flower cluster on a common more or less elongated axis. Small-Headed Aster is found in dry open ground and borders of woods.

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.