Asteraceae, the daisy, sunflower, or composite family.
Description:
Plant:
Erect, branching, somewhat delicate stems, sometimes purple-tinged, 1'-3' high, hairless,
with loose terminal clusters of very small, violet to whitish, daisy-like flower heads. Annual.
Flowers:
Very small, violet to whitish flower heads, generally 1/4" or less, generally with about 20
rays, and yellow centers, in open panicles. Not opening as widely as most asters.
Leaves:
Alternate, linear, grass-like, sessile, smooth with smooth margins,
fairly sparse, with most axils bearing a branch.
Some small, bract-like leaves near flower heads.
Fruit:
A globular head of silky-haired achenes
Blooming:
September-October
Plants bloom only for a short time compared to most asters.
Habitat:
Mostly in or near salt marshes or brackish areas. Sometimes found in roadsides areas that
retain salt from winter snow and ice treatment.
Comments:
One of two similar salt-marsh asters in our area; the other is Perennial Salt-marsh Aster
S. tenuifolium, which has slightly larger flowers, greener stems, and is
more restricted to near-coastal regions.
The plants pictured here were growing under a highway bridge in Rochester NY, where
presumably, road salt tended to persist, being sprayed off the bridge by traffic, but somewhat
protected from rain by the structure.
Salt-tolerant species would likely have an advantage in this area.
Where to find it:
Under the high I-390 connecting bridge.