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Aster macrophyllus - L.

Common Name Bigleaf Aster
Family Asteraceae or Compositae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry to moist open woods, thickets and clearings[43]. By rivers and streams in Britain[17].
Range Eastern N. America. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Aster macrophyllus Bigleaf Aster


Thomas G. Barnes @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Barnes, T.G., and S.W. Francis. 2004. Wildflowers and ferns of Kentucky. University Press of Kentucky.
Aster macrophyllus Bigleaf Aster
http://flickr.com/photos/53817483@N00

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Aster macrophyllus is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Very young leaves - cooked and used as a vegetable[46, 61, 105, 161, 177]. The leaves are said to act as a medicine as well as a food, though no details are given[257]. Only young leaves are eaten as old leaves quickly become tough[213]. Roots - cooked. They have been used in soups[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Blood purifier  Laxative  VD

The roots have been used as a blood medicine[257]. An infusion of the root has been used to bathe the head to treat headaches[257]. A compound decoction of the roots has been used as a laxative in the treatment of venereal disease[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

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Other Uses

Plants can be used as a ground cover in light shade, forming a spreading clump[208, 233].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most good garden soils[1], preferring one that is well-drained and moisture retentive[200]. Prefers a sunny position[200]. Succeeds in dry soils in the shade[200]. Grows well in light woodland shade[88], succeeding amongst the roots of other plants[233]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[187]. The plant has an invasive root system and can spread freely when well sited[233]. Slugs are fond of this plant and have destroyed even quite large clumps by eating out all the new growth in spring[K]. Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A very variable plant with many different forms[187], it hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to become dry. Pre-chilling the seed for two weeks can improve germination rates[134]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks at 20°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[200]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whist smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Manitoba (south)), United States (Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Georgia (north), Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Subject : Aster macrophyllus  
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