Fauna
Flower

Heath Aster

Symphyotrichum ericoides

Also known as White Heath Aster, Frost Aster, Many-flowered Aster, Squarrose White Aster

Heath asters light up open prairies and dry roadsides from late summer into autumn with clouds of tiny, daisy-like flower heads. Rigid, branched stems lined with fine, needle-like foliage support hundreds of white ray florets around yellow centers that turn reddish purple once pollinated. They spread steadily via underground rhizomes to form resilient colonies that provide vital late-season nectar for migrating butterflies and overwintering bees.

WildflowerPollinator-FriendlyDrought-Tolerant
Heath Aster reference1 / 7
(c) Zihao Wang, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
  • White-tailed Deer
  • Eastern Cottontail
  • Livestock
ThreatsOvergrowth by woody invasive species, habitat fragmentation, and heavy herbicide applications
HabitatsPrairies, open meadows, pastures, dry fields, roadsides, and open savannas
Life spanPerennial (indefinite via clonal rhizomes)
Classification
  1. OrderAsterales
  2. FamilyAsteraceae
  3. GenusSymphyotrichum
  4. SpeciesSymphyotrichum ericoides
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Timing: Look for peak blooms between August and October when few other plants are flowering.
  • Pollinator watching: Stand quietly beside blooming clumps to spot native solitary bees and migrating butterflies.
  • Identification: Note the tiny, heather-like upper leaves and prickly green bracts beneath each flower head.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…