Some asters, like Heath Aster, prefer growing in full sun. Some, like Calico Aster prefer shade in the forest. Some, like Purple-stemmed Aster, prefer wet environments. Arrow-leaved Aster likes forest edges or dry open areas of woods.

Arrow-leaved Aster has small white petals which can sometimes be pale pink or blueish.

The central disk of the flowers is yellow and eventually becomes purple.

The plant grows between 40 – 100 cm in height.

The leaves have a spear (or arrow) point.

They are sparse, narrowly egg-shaped and shallowly toothed.

The leaf stalks are “winged” and this is a diagnostic characteristic.

Many plants in the Aster family have had their Latin name changed to Symphyotrichum.

In Greek, sympho means “growing together.” trichos means “hair” or “single hair.”

uro is Greek for “tail” and refers to the pointed tip of the leaves in Arrow-leaved Aster. phyllum means “leaf.”

Miles Hearn