Common Australian Garden Weeds |
Scientific name: Aster subulatus Michaux
Wild aster (Aster subulatus) with alternate and
sessile (attached without a leaf stalk) leaves.
Upper stems of wild aster with flowers and much reduced leaves.
Close-up of the daisy-like flower-head of wild aster.
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Common name: Wild aster
Family: Asteraceae
Origin:
Native of North America.
Habit:
Robust annual herb to 1.8 m tall.
Habitat:
Weed of disturbed sites, parks and gardens. Common in coastal areas.
General description:
Stems and leaves Plants form a rosette of leaves at first. The
leaves of the rosette have petioles (leaf stalks) up to 4 mm long and narrowly
oval blades (4-8 × 0.5-1.5 cm in size). Leaves on the upright stems are sessile
(attached without a stalk) and narrower than the rosette leaves. The size of the
leaves on the stem decreases towards the tips of the branches.
Flowers and fruit Flower-heads consist of
white (mostly), pink or blue
daisies with 5mm long ‘petals’ (ray florets). They are borne in profusion on leafy branchlets
at the ends of the branches. Flowering occurs from
summer through to autumn. Seeds are 2 mm long with a 5-7 mm long tuft of hairs (pappus).
Distinguishing characteristics:
Annual herb which grows as a
rosette at first, later developing upright and much-branched flowering stems with
small white, pink or blue 'daisies'. Plants grow up to 1.8 m tall.
Noxious status:
Not noxious.
Source:
Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern
Queensland.
Volume 2. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.
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