Seven Aster Species at Cedarvale Park: September 2021

September is the month when asters seem to be everywhere. I found seven species during a walk at Cedarvale Park.

1 Panicled Aster

Panicled Aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum)
Panicled Aster (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum)

2 Heath Aster

Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides)

3 New England Aster

New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

4 Sky-blue Aster

Sky-blue Aster (Symphyotrichum oolentandiense)

5 Purple-stemmed Aster

Purple-stemmed Aster (Symphyotrichum puniceum)

6 Arrow-leaved Aster

Arrow-leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum urophyllum)

7 Calico Aster

Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum)

MYSTERY PLANT

I will identify it at the end of the post.

I have photographed three other aster species in the Toronto area.

8 Smooth Aster

Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)

9 Flat-topped Aster

Flat-topped Aster (Doellingeria umbellata)

10 Rayless Aster

Rayless Aster (Symphyotrichum ciliatum)

11 Heart-leaved Aster

Heart-leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)

Other botany

Joe-pye-weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
Beggar-ticks (Bidens frondosa)
Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa crusgalli)
Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Gray Dogwood (Cornus foemina)
White Spruce (Picea glauca)
Field Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis)
Hawthorn (Grataegus)
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
Enchanter’s-nightshade ( Circaea canadensis)
Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola)
Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)
Hedge-parsley (Torilis japonica)
White Vervain (Verbena urticifolia)
Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo)
Beggar-ticks (Bidens frondosa)
Hawthorn (Grataegus)

Cedarvale scenes:

MYSTERY PLANT

The red fruit structure of Staghorn Sumac remains on the shrub all winter.

Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)

NATURE POETRY

Summer, adieu
Adieu gregarious season.
Goodbye, ‘revoir, farewell.
Now day comes late; now chillier blows the breeze on – Phyliss McGinley

Miles Hearn

2 thoughts on “Seven Aster Species at Cedarvale Park: September 2021

  1. rosemarie fischer

    Miles,I am dizzy from looking at the different asters……how can you keep them apart and know all the names????? did recognize the staghorn one,see them on my walk on the greenbelt near my house.
    thank you for all the informative posts……

    Reply
  2. Lisa Volkov

    Ah yes, it is indeed the season for Asters. Nice botany. Cedarvale Park looks a bit dry, but beautiful nonetheless. Thanks, Miles!

    Reply

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