Boltonia decurrensDecurrent false aster
Family:Asteraceae
common name:Decurrent false aster
introduce:Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Missouri Native: Yes
Native Range: Eastern and central Missouri, Illinois
Height: 4 to 6 feet
Spread: 2 to 4 feet
Bloom Time: August - September
Bloom Color: Pale pink to white
Sun: Full sun (only)
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: Medium
General Culture:
Grow in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. Taller plants tend to flop and may need support. If support becomes an issue, plant stems may be pinched or cut back by 1/3 in late spring to early summer in somewhat the same way as with many asters in order to reduce plant height and minimize support needs. Plants of this species lack rhizomes.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Decurrent false aster is so named because the leaves are decurrent (clasp and extend down along the stem from the leaf bases) and the flowers look like small asters. This is a threatened species that is only known to occur along the Illinois River in west central Illinois and along the Mississippi River in both Illinois and Missouri just north of St. Louis. It typically is found in muddy bottomlands where disturbance and cyclical flooding occur. It is very similar to the much more common Boltonia asteroides, except for its decurrent foliage and lack of rhizomes. This plant typically grows in a clump to 4-6?tall on erect, usually branching stems. Lance-shaped, grayish-green leaves (to 5?long) are distinctively decurrent. Pale pink to white daisy-like flowers (to 1?diameter) in loose panicles literally cover this aster-like plant with a profuse bloom in August and September. Each flower has pale pink to white rays with a yellow center disk. This species is also commonly called winged false aster and claspingleaf doll抯 daisy. It is synonymous with and formerly designated as Boltonia asteroides var. decurrens and Boltonia latisquama var. decurrens.
No serious insect or disease problems. Taller plants may need support. Susceptible to powdery mildew.
Uses:
Moist sunny areas.
