Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 8421156

Smooth Blue Aster

Symphyotrichum laeve

Also known as Smooth Aster, Smooth-leaved Aster, Glaucous Michaelmas-daisy, Glaucous Aster

Smooth blue aster lights up North American prairies and meadows in late summer and autumn with sprays of violet-blue blossoms surrounding bright yellow centers. Its hairless, waxy stems and foliage feel noticeably smooth to the touch, distinguishing it from rougher native relatives. The late-season nectar provides an essential food source for migrating monarch butterflies and overwintering native bees.

Late BloomPollinator MagnetWildflower
Smooth Blue Aster reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Sunlight
  • Water
  • Soil Nutrients
Predators
  • White-tailed Deer
  • Rabbits
  • Gopher Tortoises
ThreatsHabitat destruction, herbicide spraying, over-mowing during bloom
HabitatsPrairies, meadows, open woods, savanna, roadsides
Life spanPerennial (5–10+ years)
Classification
  1. OrderAsterales
  2. FamilyAsteraceae
  3. GenusSymphyotrichum
  4. SpeciesSymphyotrichum laeve
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
  • Garden Care: Leave dead stems standing over winter to provide seeds for birds and nest sites for bees.
  • Pollinator Spotting: Visit patches on warm autumn afternoons to observe monarchs and bumblebees feeding.
  • Identification: Feel the upper stem and foliage, which are completely smooth and glaucous.
Related species
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