Calico aster

Pictured above: Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) by Emily Bell. Click on terms for botanical definitions. View post as a PDF.

Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is a lovely fall-blooming aster that occurs in a wide variety of habitats — from forests to marshes and wet prairies — and ranges across Eastern and into Central North America. Its abundant blooms provide nectar for a high diversity of insects including bumble bees, miner bees, sweat bees, hoverflies and wasps. It is also a larval host for two moth species, the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia Isabella) and the Green owlet (Leuconycta diphteroides), as well as two butterflies, the Pearl crescent (Phyciodes tharos) and the Silvery checkerspot (Charidryas harrisii).

One to five reddish, purplish or green stems emerge from Calico aster’s roots and bear numerous slender straggly branches laden with flowers. Clusters of flowers grow on one side of the branch and each flowerhead consists of 7-15 white to pale purple ray florets and 8-16 yellow to purple disc florets. The common name Calico refers to the disc flowers, which start out yellow and mature into purple, so that there are often different colored flowers on the same plant. Calico aster’s leaves are alternate and have saw-toothed edges. They vary from oblanceolate to ovate and are largest at the base, becoming smaller along the stems and branches. Seeds are a grey or tan cypsela with white to pinkish pappi.

Members of the Symphyotrichum genus were once classified in the genus Aster, which contained over 600 species. All have since been reclassified into 10 different genera. The genus name Symphyotrichum is from the Greek sýmphysis, meaning “growing together,” and thríx, or “hair.” It refers to a basal ring of hairs or bristles (pappi) thought to occur on New England aster (Aster novi-belgii, now Symphyotrichum novi-belgii); however, this characteristic is absent in most modern Symphyotrichum species.

The species epithet lateriflorum is a combination the Latin words lateri, meaning “side” and florum, meaning “flower.” It refers to the way the flowers grow on one side of the branches.

While commercially available in some parts of its range, no Florida ecotypes of Calico aster are currently available. Visit a natural area to see it.

Learn more about Calico aster from the Institute for Regional Conservation.

For information on other Symphyotrichum species, see these resources:

Eastern silver aster

Eastern silver aster (Symphyotrichum concolor) is a winsome wildflower found in Florida’s pineland habitats. It typically blooms in fall but may bloom in summer and early winter.

Read more… Eastern silver aster

Simmond’s aster

Simmond’s aster (Symphyotrichum simmondsii) is endemic to the Southeastern Coastal Plain and while recorded from the Carolinas to Alabama, it is most prevalent throughout peninsular Florida.

Read more… Simmond’s aster

Perennial saltmarsh aster

Perennial saltmarsh aster (Symphyotrichum tenuifolium) is one of the few large-flowered species present among the grasses and rushes of the salt marsh. It plays an important ecological role for native bees!

Read more… Perennial saltmarsh aster

Walter’s aster

Walter’s aster (Symphyotrichum walteri) in late fall and early winter, providing nectar and pollen to butterflies, bees and other pollinators at a time when floral resources are limited.

Read more… Walter’s aster

Scaleleaf aster

Scaleleaf aster (Symphyotrichum adnatum) is hardly noticeable when not in bloom. But in late fall and early winter, its copious periwinkle blooms make for a showy display.

Read more… Scaleleaf aster

Georgia aster

Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum) is a magnet for bees and butterflies. Its flowers are distinguishable from other Symphyotrichum species by their relatively large size and deep violet-colored ray petals.

Read more… Georgia aster

Rice button aster

Rice button aster (Symphyotrichum dumosum) is a profuse bloomer with small flowers that attract a plethora of pollinators including butterflies and native bees.

Read more… Rice button aster

Elliott’s aster

Elliott’s aster (Symphyotrichum elliottii) is a perennial wildflower and wonderful plant for attracting butterflies, bees and other pollinators due to its many fragrant blooms.

Read more… Elliott’s aster