Scientific Name:
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
Pronunciation:
sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum la-ter-uh-FLOR-um
Common Name:
calico aster
Family Name:
Asteraceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves green with purple underside, fall colour plum-purple; flowers long-lasting, white daisy-like ray florets with hot-pink disk florets.
Habit:
Spreading
Form:
Mounded
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
North America
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Fall interest, Perennial border
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus include S. 'Prince'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Summer:
Green, Purple, Nearly Black
Colour in Fall:
Purple, Dark-red
Shapes:
Oblanceolate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Decurrent
Margins:
Entire, Serrulate
Inflorescence Type:
Head (capitulum), Floriferous, Corymb-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Corolla Shape:
Ligulate
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Pink (Ray florets white, disk florets raspberry-red)
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Sep, Oct
Fruit Type:
Cypsela (achene + calyx)
Fruit Colour:
Brown, Silver
Fruiting Time:
Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Brown
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Pest Susceptibility:
Fungal leaf spot, Mites, Mold, Nematodes, Rust, Slugs or snails (Rabbit resistant)
