Picture and information can be found on pages 102 and 103 of Grassland Plants of South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains, by James R. Johnson and Gary E. Larson. Published in 1999 by South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD.
| HEATH ASTER--Aster ericoides | |
| Description: Heath aster is a perennial arising from an extensive system of rhizomes and sometimes stolons. It can be represented by a single, nearly prostrate stem, or it may take on a bush-like appearance up to 18 inches across and 12 to 20 inches high. linear leaves and stems can become practically obscured by a multitude of small while or seldom pinkish flower heads in late summer. |
|
| Distribution, habitat: Heath aster is native in most states and provinces east of the Rocky Mountains and south into Mexico. It occurs throughout South Dakota in uplands and lowlands as a common prairie component. | |
| Comments: A closely related species similar in appearance, white prairie aster, A. falcatus, is more common in the western half of the state, including the Black Hills. White prairie aster has 20 to 30+ rays per head (involucre of head to 1/4+ inch tall). Heath aster has fewer than 20 rays per head (involucre of head to 3/16 inch tall). Both increase on overgrazed ranges. Palatability is low except when immature, when they are grazed by livestock, deer, and pronghorn. Wild turkeys eat the fruit. In prairie hay, these asters are unpalatable and reduce market value. | |
|
Picture and information can be found on pages 102 and 103 of Grassland Plants of South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains, by James R. Johnson and Gary E. Larson. Published in 1999 by South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD. |
|