BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Aster laevis | Smooth Aster 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Smooth aster is a moderately tall (12 to 40 inches [30 -100 cm]) native
perennial forb, with a stout rhizome and branching caudex.  There are
one to several erect stems.  The fruit is a one-seeded achene
[14,19,36].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Hemicryptophyte
   Geophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Smooth aster reproduces well from seed.  Seeds do not require either
scarification or stratification [20,32].  Greenhouse germination trials
showed that, without stratification, initial germination occurs at 7
days, and peak germination occurs at 20 days [32].  Seed banking is not
apparent; soil samples collected in August (probably before seed
release) contained no germinable smooth aster seeds [37].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Smooth aster occurs on a wide variety of sites, including moist, sandy
soil in woods, dry woods, and open areas, and mesic and dry-mesic
prairies [30,40].  Cover and frequency of smooth aster is highest on
sites with high light intensities, though it occurs on more shaded sites
as well [41].  It usually sustains higher populations on wetter, more
poorly drained glacial till soils in eastern Illinois and western
Indiana [6].  In Michigan, however, Beaufait [4] reported that although
smooth aster occurs on mesic and transitional sites, it is more likely
to be encountered on the more xeric sites.

Elevation occurrence data from selected western states is as follows
[12]:

               feet             meters
Utah        5,700 - 8,600    1,737 - 2,621
Colorado    5,000 - 9,300    1,524 - 2,835
Wyoming     3,700 - 7,600    1,128 - 2,316
Montana     2,300 - 6,000      701 - 1,829


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Facultative Seral Species

Thirty years after study plots had been retired from heavy grazing,
smooth aster was found only on the edges of the sites nearest
undisturbed native prairie [18].  Smooth aster is found on roadsides and
other previously disturbed areas but is probably not an initial
colonizer.

Smooth aster is probably not tolerant of deep shade but will tolerate
light or intermittent shade.


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Smooth aster blooms from August to October [11].  The lowermost leaves
are early deciduous; the remaining leaves are dropped after frost
top-kills the plant [19].

Related categories for Species: Aster laevis | Smooth Aster