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Aster Weed

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Aster Weed Photos

Scientific Name:Aster subulatus (syn. Aster squamatus)

Aster Weed plants
Aster Weed Plants
Photo: A J Brown

Other Common Name:

Shrub Aster, Wild Aster, Bushy Starwort

Status:

Native to North America, Naturalised across southern Australia and in New Zealand.

Plant
Description:

Annual, biennial or short-lived, erect, almost hairless, perennial, to 1.8 m tall, with rigid, smooth, reddish, stems branching towards the top. Leaves are stem-clasping, linear-lanceolate to narrow-lanceolate shaped, 1–15 cm long, 3–10 mm wide, with pointed tips and smooth margins.

The numerous flower-heads, 2-4 mm diameter, are in loose, leafy panicles with branched stems. The hairless, bracts surrounding the heads are often reddish with a green centre. Ray florets are white, pink or blue with 3–5 mm long ‘petals’. Central disc florets only number a few. Fruit is an achene, 1.5-2 mm long, narrow and 4-5 ribbed.

Habitat:

Scattered throughout Victoria except for the Mallee. Found on seasonally wet sites such as drains, flats and swamps.


RegionSalinity ClassWaterlogging Class
Central and Northern, Wimmera, Western, GippslandS0, S1, S2W2, W3

Aster Weed Photos


Aster Weed flower
Aster Weed flower
Photo: A J Brown
Aster Weed flower buds
Aster Weed flower buds
Photo: A J Brown

Leaves of Aster Weed
Leaves of Aster Weed
Photo: A J Brown

Aster Weed seed head
Aster Weed seed head
Photo: A J Brown

Stem and young leaves of Aster Weed
Stem and young leaves of Aster Weed
Photo: A J Brown
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