Starry White Aster.Aster multiflorus.
Found in August and September, in dry open fields, and waste places.
The stalk (from 1 to 2 feet in height) is leafy and shrubby in growth, and the branches are long and curving; it is slender, and rough to the touch. Green.
The lowest leaves are broad lance-shaped, pointed at each end, the margin sometimes notched; the upper leaves are long, and narrow, with an entire margin, and diminishing in size till they become line-like near the top of the stalk. The midrib shows plainly, the texture is firm. The color is gray-green, rather dark. The leaves are set immediately upon the stalk, closely and irregularly, and generally alternate.
The disc flowers are few; yellow, changing to brown. The ray flowers are fine and small, 10 to 15 in number; white. The cups very small; silvery green. The heads are arranged in profusion along the leafy branches.
The feathery prettiness of these curving spires of green and white loses nothing of its attraction because of its plentiful growth in barren places amidst the one-toned monotony of the Goldenrods. The quality of its green deserves especial regard.