Asteraceae, the daisy, sunflower, or composite family.
Description:
Plant:
Erect, plant, 4"-20" high, with hairy stems, fringed leaves, and
loose clusters of small, violet to light blue, daisy-like flower heads. Perennial.
Flowers:
Small, light blue to violet flower heads, about 1/2", generally with 10-20
rays, and yellow centers darkening to pink, in open panicles.
Leaves:
Alternate, narrowly lanceolate to linear, 1/2" - 3/2",
margins smooth but fringed with short hairs, surfaces rough, but not hairy, sessile, and
tapering smoothly to a point.
Leaves on flower stalks and short axillary sprouts are often very small.
Fruit:
A head of silky-haired achenes
Blooming:
August-October
Habitat:
Fields, sandy waste areas, clearings.
Comments:
Best guess for identity of this plant.
The species is also known as Flaxleaf Whitetop Aster, Stiff-leafed Aster is sometimes used
as a general name for the genus.
The fringed leaves have a distinctive appearance typical of the genus.
The plants and flowers are smaller than some other common blue asters.
Where to find it:
I have seen a single, small specimen on the south shore of the pond.
Probably there are more, but the plant is not very conspicuous mixed in with all the other asters.