White Heath Aster

Symphyotrichum ericoides (L.) Nesom

(formerly Aster ericoides L.)

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

▲ ▼  mature plants

▲ ▼  flowers

White Heath Aster, Heath Aster: (pp. 84-85, Weeds of the Great Plains; pp. 118-119, Weeds of the Northeast)

·         simple perennial, native weed in the Aster family (Asteraceae)

·         produces numerous small, white daisy-like flowers in mid-late autumn

·         has narrow leaves, almost needle-like around flowers

·         similar to daisy fleabane, except for leaves, and flowers on white heath aster have fewer petals and the center yellow disk is smaller and more globe-shaped

·         reproduces readily by seed

·         found in fields, pastures, roadsides

·         Control:

o   grazing, cutting and mowing somewhat effective (can adapt and bloom under very short cutting height), tilling

o   chemical control mostly by postemergent herbicides applied before flowering begins