New England aster is a perennial, herbaceous plant between tall. It is cespitose, with several erect stems emerging from a single point. The stems are stout, hairy, and mostly unbranched. The untoothed, lance-shaped leaves clasp the stem. Flowering occurs from August to November, with the lower leaves often withering by the time of flowering. The abundant flower heads are showy with yellow disc florets at the center and ray florets that range from a deep purple or rose pink to rarely white. Many cultivars have been developed which may differ from the characteristics listed above in various ways.
Taxonomy
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae was formerly included in the large genus Aster as Aster novae-angliae. However, this broad circumscription of Aster is polyphyletic and the North American asters are now mostly classified in Symphyotrichum and several other genera. Several forms of this species have been recognized, differing in flower color, but these are not recognized in most sources. Hybridization with Symphyotrichum ericoides is frequent where the ranges of these two species overlap. Hybrids are called Symphyotrichum × amethystinum and are intermediate between the parent species in most respects. No other hybrids with Symphyotrichum novae-angliae have been recorded. The vernacular name "Michaelmas-daisy" derives from the various asters, including this species, that tend to flower around September 29, the feast of St. Michael.
The species is found in a wide variety of open, typically moist habitats, including meadows, prairies, marshes, fens, forest edges, and disturbed anthropogenic habitats such as roadsides and former agricultural fields. The soils where it grows are often calcareous.
Ecology
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae reproduces vegetatively via short rhizomes, and via wind-dispersed seeds. The species is largely incapable of self-pollination, and requires cross-pollination for seed production. The seeds are an important food source for songbirds. A wide variety of generalist nectar-feeding insects visit Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, including butterflies, moths, ants, flies, and bees. It is heavily visited by long-tongued bumblebees like Bombus fervidus and Bombus vagans, and less so by short-tongued species. Some bees will collect pollen in addition to nectar, such as Megachile latimanus and Melissodes druriella. A gall midge, Rhopalomyia astericaulis, produces a stem gall on this species. Leaf-mining insects include beetles and flies. Butterflies known to feed on New England aster as caterpillars include the Gorgone checkerspot and pearl crescent. The beetle Exema canadensis breeds on S. novae-angliae. Fungi known to affect the species include Basidiophora entospora, Coleosporium asterum, Discosphaerina pseudhimantia, Erysiphe cichoracearum, Gibberidea heliopsidis, Placosphaeria haydeni, Puccinia asteris, Ramularia asteris, Ramularia macrospora, and Septoria atropurpurea.
Uses
Cultivation
Over 70 cultivars of have been developed, although only about 50 survive in commerce today. There is less diversity of habit and flower than in cultivars of Symphyotrichum novi-belgii, which are often derived from hybrids. The novae-angliae cultivars grow to between in height, with the notable exception of ‘Purple Dome’, at under. The cultivar 'Harrington’s Pink' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Long popular in Europe, where it was introduced in 1710, New England aster has only more recently become commonly cultivated in North America.
Medicinal use
As a common, widespread plant, this species has been widely used for medicinal purposes among indigenous people in North America. Documented uses include:
Among the Cherokee, a poultice of the roots for pain, an infusion of the roots for diarrhea, sniffing the ooze from the roots for catarrh, and an infusion of the plant for fever.
Among the Chippewa, smoking the roots in pipes to attract game.
Among the Iroquois, a decoction of the plant for weak skin, a decoction of the roots and leaves for fevers, and an infusion of whole plant and rhizomes from another plant to treat mothers with intestinal fevers.
Among the Meskwaki, smudging the plant and using it to revive unconscious people.
Among the Potawatomi, using it as a fumigating reviver.
