BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Aster conspicuus | Showy Aster 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Showy aster is a native, perennial herb.  Its peduncle is 1 to 2 feet
(30-60 cm) tall, and it usually has several shorter sterile stems
arising from extensive creeping rhizomes [14].  Rhizomes grow 0.5 to 2.0
inches (0.5-5 cm) below the soil surface [4].  Flowers are borne in an
open, flat-topped inflorescence [10,14].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Geophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Sexual:  Showy aster reproduces by seed.  Seeds are wind dispersed long
distances and can germinate on bare soil [5,18,20].

Asexual:  Showy aster sprouts from extensive, creeping rhizomes [4,18].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Showy aster occurs in continental boreal and cool-temperate climates on
moderately dry soils.  It is a common interior species on "water
shedding" sites [12].  It is most common in montane zones, but is also
found in forested areas of valley and lower subalpine zones [14].  In
Wyoming showy aster occurs from 5,500 to 9,000 feet (1,667-2,727 m)
elevation.  In Montana it is found from 3,000 to 7,100 feet (910-2,152
m) elevation [6].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Facultative Seral Species

Showy aster is tolerant of both sun and shade.  Small colonies typically
establish following stand-destroying fires or clearcutting and site
scarification [20,22].  Showy aster produces more vegetative growth and
fewer flowering stems with increasing shade in later succession [14].
It can, however, maintain extensive colonies beneath pine (Pinus spp.)
and open Douglas-fir canopies.  It is an indicator of late seres in
Douglas fir/ninebark (Physoparpus malvaceus) habitat types of central
Idaho [20].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Showy aster flowers in late summer throughout its range [14].

Related categories for Species: Aster conspicuus | Showy Aster