Aquatic and Wetland Vascular Plants of the Northern Great Plains
49. Asteraceae, the Aster Family
2. Aster L. -- Aster3. Aster junciformis Rydb. -- Rush aster
Slender erect perennial 3-8 dm tall, from slender rhizomes 0.5-1.5(2) mm thick, mostly glabrous except for lines of appressed pubescence decurrent from leaf bases; stem simple below, usually branched above in the inflorescence. Leaves sessile, linear, 4-11 cm long, 2-6 mm wide, acuminate, scabrous on the margin, sometimes slightly clasping at the base. Heads (1) few to several, seldom many, uncrowded, 1.5-2 cm across; involucre 5-7 mm high, the bracts imbricate, often with purplish tips and margins; rays usually 20-50, white to light blue or lavender, 7-15 mm long. Late Jul--Sep. Springs, fens, seepage areas, wet meadows and boggy places, typically where the soil remains saturated all year; occasional from n ND to e SD, less common sw SD and c NE; (Que. to AK, s to NJ, MN, NE, CO, ID and B.C.). A. junceus Ait.
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