Aster+laevis

//Aster laevis// Smooth Blue Aster

Asters are the largest family of flowering plants. The There are 19,000 species worldwide and 2,687 species in the U.S. and Canada. It is found in areas along Southeast Illinois, Indiana, and other states in the area. Habitats include prairies, savannas, glades, and marshes such as Eagle Marsh. This flower is valuable to a nature preserve such as Eagle Marsh because it attracts many insects like a variety of bees, flies, and caterpillars. It also attracts aphids which are a vital food source to butterflies and a myriad of other big-eyed bugs. Many mammals also eat the foliage and seeds, like wild turkey, deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and livestock. Not only is this flower valuable as a food source, but it also includes a great adaptability to its surroundings, beautiful flowers and foliage. It is distinguished among other asters because of its lack of hair or roughness on the stems and leaves
 * This plant is a perennial flower that grows to 1½-3' tall and is native to Illinois and other bordering states. It has one main stem and the bottom and branches out a few more stems on the upper plant. The leaves grow up to 4” long and 1 ½ inches wide. The leaves colors range from green, greyish green, or bluish green. The petals colors are usually light blue or a violet color while it’s florets (the middle yellow part of the flower) turns a reddish yellow is it grows older. It prefers its climate to be exposed to full or at least partial sun. This plant is not subject to a particular soil type but soil should be fertile or clay. The blooming period begins near the beginning of fall and lasts about 3-4 weeks. It is a rather easy plant to grow and thrive and will even withstand a drought. However growing against bigger and taller plants may be a problem.

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