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NEW ENGLAND ASTER

NOMENCLATURE

Other Names: too many to name

 Scientific Name: Aster spp.

 Plant Family: Compositae

GENERAL INFORMATION

Botanical Description: There are hundreds of asters, which frequently hybridize to create new strains. Only the most general description will be given here. Asters are herbaceous, stems rarely tuurning slightly woody.

 Stems: range from a few inches to 5 feet in height

 Leaves: variable and diverse

 Roots: some with definite taproot; others without

 Flowers: classic 'daisy' type composite disk flower heads, may be yellow, white, pink, red, or purple, range from large to tiny, with few or very many ray flowers, long blooming season

 Seeds: dry, generally flat, long and thin, may be smooth, hairy, or covered with glands, may have small tufts or prongs

Seedling:

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

LIFE CYCLE

Reproduction: annual, biennial, or perennial

 Propagation: often by seed

 Dispersal: often by wind or water

DISTRIBUTION

State: Found throuughout Wisconsin.

 National: Common throughout Alaska and all the continental United States.

 Origin:

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

For almost every ecosystem in the United States, there are asters which can survive and even thrive.

SCOUTING PROCEDURE/ET

While scouting a cranberry bed for disease and insect pests, identify weed populations as they arise. Note the specie(s) of weed present as well as the population level relative to field area. Example: 40% aster mix, 10% boneset.

REFERENCES

Gleason, H. A. 1952. Illustrated Flora of the United States and Adjacent Canada. Vol 3. Lancaster Press, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. pp. 326, 329-331.

Kummer, L. D., T. G. Dittl, and T. D. Planer. 1993. Wisconsin Cranberry Weeds. Wisconsin Cranberry Board, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. p. 9.

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