Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Roger Hammer, Dade Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

bush aster, rice button aster

Synonym(s):

Aster dumosus

Genus species:

Symphyotrichum dumosum

Family:

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

2-4 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,pink,blue,lavender

Fruit Color:

white

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wildflower garden, meadow.

Considerations:

Availability:

Seed

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars



  • Attracts pollinators, especially native bees.


  • Larval host plant for pearl crescent ( Phyciodes tharos ) butterflies.


Native Habitats:

Sandhills, flatwoods, pine-oak-hickory woods, floodplains, secondary woods, cutthroat seep.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments: