Several lilac purple Short's Aster flowers are visible. Each has several rays and a few bright yellow disc florets in the center.
A close up of the long, thin petioles (leaf stems) of Short's aster.
This is a top down view of the short's aster plant. The long leaves with a pointed tip on one end and a slight heart shaped on the end near the stem are visible.
A hand displays the composite flowers of Short's Aster. Several have yellow disc florets and others have been pollinated and have turned purple.
A single Short's Aster plant is in the frame with it's long leaves and large lilac colored flowers.
A group of Short's aster is in flower. There are many purple flowers per three foot fall plant.
Several lilac purple Short's Aster flowers are visible. Each has several rays and a few bright yellow disc florets in the center.
A close up of the long, thin petioles (leaf stems) of Short's aster.
This is a top down view of the short's aster plant. The long leaves with a pointed tip on one end and a slight heart shaped on the end near the stem are visible.
A hand displays the composite flowers of Short's Aster. Several have yellow disc florets and others have been pollinated and have turned purple.
A single Short's Aster plant is in the frame with it's long leaves and large lilac colored flowers.
A group of Short's aster is in flower. There are many purple flowers per three foot fall plant.

Short's Aster (Symphyotrichum shortii)

from $3.00

Short’s Aster is taller and larger than Heart-leaved Aster (aka Blue Wood Aster). Short’s Aster ranges from 18 inches to 3 feet tall. Leaves are long and pointed on one end and come to a slight heart shape connected to a thin petiole (leaf stem) on the other end. Leaves and upper stems have short hairs. The edges of the leaves are smooth, rather than toothed.

Flowers of Short’s Aster are about an inch wide with several lilac colored rays. As with most asters, the disc florets are yellow and turn to purple once pollinated.

These plants are eye-catching, and also important sources of food in the fall months for insects.

Short’s Aster (Symphyotrichum shortii)

Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: Short’s Aster

height: 3 feet

bloom time: Aug.-Oct.

soil: medium, dry

sun: partial, shade

plant spacing: 18”

flower: purple

life cycle: perennial

family: Asteraceae

Sizes:

Short’s Aster is taller and larger than Heart-leaved Aster (aka Blue Wood Aster). Short’s Aster ranges from 18 inches to 3 feet tall. Leaves are long and pointed on one end and come to a slight heart shape connected to a thin petiole (leaf stem) on the other end. Leaves and upper stems have short hairs. The edges of the leaves are smooth, rather than toothed.

Flowers of Short’s Aster are about an inch wide with several lilac colored rays. As with most asters, the disc florets are yellow and turn to purple once pollinated.

These plants are eye-catching, and also important sources of food in the fall months for insects.

Short’s Aster (Symphyotrichum shortii)

Michigan Flora reference page for state distribution: Short’s Aster

height: 3 feet

bloom time: Aug.-Oct.

soil: medium, dry

sun: partial, shade

plant spacing: 18”

flower: purple

life cycle: perennial

family: Asteraceae

Other asters that may be flowering in and around the forest in the fall are: Blue Wood Aster (aka Heart-leaved aster), Calico Aster, Ontario Aster, Panicled Aster, and Arrow-leaved Aster. Asters readily cross-pollinate so it’s common to run across a plant in natural areas that doesn’t seem to fit one species description. If you’d like to learn to use Michigan Flora’s key to identify species you’ll need to learn terms like “phyllaries,” “disc floret” “ray floret” “cauline leaves” and more!

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