Ontario Wildflowers website

Amethyst Aster
Symphyotrichum x amethystinum
(formerly Aster x amethystinus)

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum) Other scientific names: Aster x amethystinus

Family: Composite Family (Asteraceae)

Group: Asters

Distinctive features: Flowers like small New England Aster flowers. Stem fuzzy. Leaves clasping, very similar to New England Aster yet much smaller. Whole plant looks like a miniature New England Aster.

Similar species:
  •   New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) - larger overall, leaves larger.

  •   Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides) - white flowers and narrower/smaller leaves.


Flowers: Summer, Autumn;  Blue/Violet;  7 or more parts (petals);  Smaller than those of New England Aster, larger than those of Heath Aster. Ray flowers short and small.

Leaves: Alternate, Simple;  Similar to Heath Aster. Smaller than those of New England Aster - the leaves have the same shape and form, but are more numerous.

Height: 1 m (2-3 ft)

Stem: Similar to New England Aster.

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas, Meadows;  Fields, usually close to Heath Aster and New England Aster. Only in the south part of Ontario.

Grows in Sun/Shade: Sun

Lifespan: Perennial.  

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Common.

Notes: This species of Aster is a hybrid between New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) and Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides). Its features are a mixture of the two species. The leaves are like miniature New England Aster leaves or large, wide, clasping Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides) leaves, and the flowers are like small New England Aster flowers or like large purple Heath Aster flowers. It is usually found close to Heath Aster and New England Aster.

Photographs: 62 photographs available, of which 13 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

Amethyst Aster is a hybrid between New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) and Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides). Its features are a combination of the two species.

Therefore, it has clasping, yet small leaves. Its flowers look exactly like very small New England Aster flowers. Its stem is fuzzy.

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

Close-up view of the flowers. Like many Asters, the disc flowers start out yellow, and turn purple as they age.

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

Closeup of a flower head.

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

Although the flowers closely resemble those of New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), they are much smaller, as seen here.

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

Close-up of the stem - note the fuzziness of it.

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

Close view of the stem and the smaller leaves higher up on the stem.

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

Another view of the main stem, showing the leaves. Note how they resemble New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) leaves, clasping the stem, yet are much smaller.

This species is essentially a miniature New England Aster.

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

Closeup view of the underside of the flower.

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

Flowers about to open.

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

The whole plant.

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

Here is one set of examples of the three species, L-R:
Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides),
Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum),
and New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae).

Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

And another set, L-R:
New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae),
Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum),
and Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides).


Range map for Amethyst Aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)