Large flower aster is a native perennial wildflower in the Asteraceae (daisy) family found in North and South Carolina along with Virginia. It grows in dry woodland areas, along roadways and disturbed sites. This flower is commonly found in the piedmont and coastal plains area with striking purple flowers that appear in the fall. More information on Symphyotrichum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Rubbery
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Simple alternate tiny bract-like leaves
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Purple daisy like head flowers (1 inch across) with 20-30 petals appear in a panicle from Sepember- November
Bloom time
Fall
Fruit type
Achene
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern U.S.A., Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina
Distribution
VA, NC, SC
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Symphyotrichum support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteroides, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) placata, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, and Colletes simulans.