Aster (genus) Facts for Kids

Multi layer petals Aster flower

Aster is a genus of flowering plants. It belongs in the family Asteraceae. The genus once had nearly 600 species in Eurasia and North America. After morphologic and molecular research on the genus during the 1990s, it was decided that the North American species are better treated in a series of other related genera. After this split there are about 180 species within the genus.

Common species

Here is a list of some common species:

Here is a list of some common North American species that are no longer in the genus Aster:

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

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.