AROMATIC ASTER
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Symphyotrichum oblongifolium   (Nutt. ) G.L. Nesom
[=Aster oblongifolius Nutt.]
Pottawatomie County, Kansas
Perennial
Height: 6-18 inches
Family: Asteraceae - Sunflower Family
Flowering Period:   September,October
Stems: Erect, usually much branched, brittle, variable pubescence.
Leaves: Lowermost leaves often absent at flowering; stem leaves persistent, alternate, simple, sessile to clasping, numerous, oblong to linear-lanceolate, .5 to 3 inches long, to .5 inch wide, sparsely hairy or glabrous; margins entire, stiff hairy; uppermost leaves reduced to small linear bracts.
Inflorescences: Panicles, terminal; heads few to many, .75 to 1.25 inch wide; bracts glandular, tips long, green, loose or spreading.
Flowers: Ray florets approximately 30, bluish purple; disk florets yellow, age to reddish purple.
Fruits: Achenes, flat, hairy, tipped with yellowish white bristles, enclosing small seed.
Habitat: Dry, rocky or sandy open sites, often on hillsides.
Distribution: Throughout except southwest corner of Kansas.
Comments: Aromatic aster arises from creeping rhizomes.
 It is often found with silky aster (Symphyotrichum sericeum).

Aromatic aster infloresence
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Riley County, Kansas
Aromatic aster leaves
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Pottawatomie County, Kansas
Aromatic aster
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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Chase County, Kansas
Aromatic aster
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Russell County, Kansas
Aromatic aster
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Russell County, Kansas
Aromatic aster
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Ellsworth County, Kansas
Aromatic aster
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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Chase County, Kansas
Aromatic aster
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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Chase County, Kansas
Aromatic aster habit
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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Chase County, Kansas
Aromatic aster heads
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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Chase County, Kansas
Aromatic aster in winter
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Konza Prairie, Riley County, Kansas