Transformational Gardening

Schreber’s Aster (Eurybia schreberi) (Synonym: Aster schreberi): Images

Date	Location	Notes	Images
September 18, 2011	Southeastern, New Hampshire	There are approximately 66 different Asters in the Northeastern United States. Fortunately, there are only four (4) Asters that meet the following two criteria: Have leaves with petioles (leaf stems) Inflorescence (cluster of flowers) is commonly flat- or round-topped with few firm and wide leafy bracts (reduced leaf structure at base of flower). The following Asters meet this criteria: *Forked Aster (Midwestern White Heart-Leaved Aster) (Eurybia furcata):* This Aster does not grow East of Michigan. *White Wood Aster (Common White Heart-Leaved Aster) (Eurybia divaricata):* The flower has 5-10 rays. These flowers had mostly 12 rays. The leaves of White Wood Aster are Long-Acuminate (they taper to a relatively long point). The leaves of this plant are Short-Acuminate (they taper to a fairly short point). *Big-Leaved Aster (Eurybia macrophylla):* The flower has 9-20 rays. The leaves of Big-Leaved Aster are Obtuse (Blunt rounded) or Short-Acuminate (they taper to a relatively short point). Flowers tinged with lilac or purple. *Schreber’s Aster (Eurybia schreberi):* This plant. Similar leaves to Big-Leaved Aster above except that the basal leaves tend to have a rectangular sinus (at the base of the leaf). Flower rays are 6-14 per flower (though I have seen some references listing as many as 20 rays). The involucre (whorl of bracts below the flower) is much thinner than for Big-Leaved Aster. This plant had some flowers that had as many as 16 rays. The bracts seems to be fairly wide. Based on these two facts, Big-Leaved Aster would be a good fit. However, Big-Leaved Aster flowers tend to be tinted purple or lilac. These flowers are white. In addition, the involucre is 6 to 7 mm long and Big-Leaved Aster involucres are at least 7 mm long. The sinus of the basal leaves was often rectangular as seen for Schreber’s Aster. This plant is puberulent (fine, short hairs) on the peduncle (flower stalk) and not does not appear to have glands on the peduncle. Big-Leaved Aster is glandular and Schreber’s Aster is not glandular. Scheber’s Aster may be a hybrid of Big-Leaved Aster and White Wood Aster, so some similarities of each are expected.

Date

Location

Notes

Images

September 18, 2011

Southeastern, New Hampshire

There are approximately 66 different Asters in the Northeastern United States. Fortunately, there are only four (4) Asters that meet the following two criteria:

Have leaves with petioles (leaf stems)
Inflorescence (cluster of flowers) is commonly flat- or round-topped with few firm and wide leafy bracts (reduced leaf structure at base of flower).

The following Asters meet this criteria:

Forked Aster (Midwestern White Heart-Leaved Aster) (Eurybia furcata): This Aster does not grow East of Michigan.
White Wood Aster (Common White Heart-Leaved Aster) (Eurybia divaricata): The flower has 5-10 rays. These flowers had mostly 12 rays. The leaves of White Wood Aster are Long-Acuminate (they taper to a relatively long point). The leaves of this plant are Short-Acuminate (they taper to a fairly short point).
Big-Leaved Aster (Eurybia macrophylla): The flower has 9-20 rays. The leaves of Big-Leaved Aster are Obtuse (Blunt rounded) or Short-Acuminate (they taper to a relatively short point). Flowers tinged with lilac or purple.
Schreber’s Aster (Eurybia schreberi): This plant. Similar leaves to Big-Leaved Aster above except that the basal leaves tend to have a rectangular sinus (at the base of the leaf). Flower rays are 6-14 per flower (though I have seen some references listing as many as 20 rays). The involucre (whorl of bracts below the flower) is much thinner than for Big-Leaved Aster.

This plant had some flowers that had as many as 16 rays. The bracts seems to be fairly wide. Based on these two facts, Big-Leaved Aster would be a good fit. However, Big-Leaved Aster flowers tend to be tinted purple or lilac. These flowers are white. In addition, the involucre is 6 to 7 mm long and Big-Leaved Aster involucres are at least 7 mm long. The sinus of the basal leaves was often rectangular as seen for Schreber’s Aster. This plant is puberulent (fine, short hairs) on the peduncle (flower stalk) and not does not appear to have glands on the peduncle. Big-Leaved Aster is glandular and Schreber’s Aster is not glandular. Scheber’s Aster may be a hybrid of Big-Leaved Aster and White Wood Aster, so some similarities of each are expected.