Variable-leaved Aster.Aster undulatus.
Found in dry woods, and thickets, during September.
The slender, branching stalk (2 to 3 feet high) is soft, with down, to the touch. Light green in color. Leaning and swaying in gesture.
The leaves are very variable in shape, the lowest being decidedly heart-shaped, and set on long margined stems (these margins somewhat notched) that clasp the stalk with shallow wings; above, the leaves are somewhat heart-shaped, and are set on short stems, that clasp the stalk with broad wings; while the upper leaves are set immediately upon the stalk, and clasp it by their prolonged bases. All the leaves have tapering tips, entire, or very slightly, notched margins, with a rough upper surface, while underneath it they are soft-hairy to the touch; they are placed alternately. The color is cool green.
The disc flowers are pale yellow at first, but become reddish-brown in maturity. The ray flowers, 10 to 20 in number, are pale lavender or lilac. The heads are arranged in loose clusters.
The color of this leafage, and its shapes, are very pleasing. Gray’sManualstates the color of its rays as “bright blue”!