Aster (genus) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aster |
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| Aster alpinus | |
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Asteraceae
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Astereae
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| Genus: |
Aster
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Many, see text. |
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Aster is a group of beautiful flowering plants. They are part of the Asteraceae family, which also includes daisies and sunflowers. Long ago, scientists thought there were almost 600 different types of Aster plants. These were found in places like Europe, Asia, and North America.
But in the 1990s, scientists did more research. They looked closely at the plants' shapes and studied their DNA. They found that many of the North American plants were actually quite different. So, they decided to put those plants into other related groups. Now, there are about 180 true Aster species left in the main group.
Types of Aster Flowers
Here is a list of some common species that are still called Aster:
- Aster alpinus - Alpine Aster
- Aster amellus - European Michaelmas Daisy or Italian Aster
- Aster linosyris - Goldilocks Aster
- Aster pringlei
- Aster scaber
- Aster sibiricus
- Aster subulatus - Hairless Fleabane
- Aster tataricus - Tatarian Aster
- Aster tongolensis
- Aster tripolium - Sea Aster
Former North American Asters
Here is a list of some common North American species. These plants used to be called Aster. But now, scientists have given them new names based on their research:
- Aster breweri (now Eucephalus breweri) - Brewer's Aster
- Aster cordifolius (now Symphyotrichum cordifolium) - Blue Wood Aster
- Aster divaricatus (now Eurybia divaricata) - White Wood Aster
- Aster ericoides (now Symphyotrichum ericoides) - Heath Aster
- Aster laevis (now Symphyotrichum laeve) - Smooth Aster
- Aster lateriflorus (now Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) - Lady in Black, Calico Aster
- Aster novae-angliae (now Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) - New England Aster
- Aster novi-belgii (now Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) - New York Aster
- Aster peirsonii (now Oreostemma peirsonii) - Peirson's Aster
- Aster pilosus (now Symphyotrichum pilosum) - Frost Aster
- Aster scopulorum (now Ionactis alpina) - Lava Aster
Images for kids
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Aster alpinus is the only species of Aster (sensu stricto) that is native to North America; it is found in mountains across the Northern Hemisphere.
See also
In Spanish: Aster para niños
