Heartleaf or common blue wood aster
Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Synonyms: Aster sagittifolius, Aster heterophyllus, Aster leiophyllus, Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. furbishiae, Aster cordifolius, Aster lowrieanus var. lancifolius, Aster lowrieanus var. lanceolatus, Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. lanceolatum, Aster lowrieanus var. incisus, Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. racemiflorum, Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. moratum, Aster plumarius, Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. polycephalum, Aster heterophyllus var. glabriusculus, Aster heterophyllus var. scaber, Aster finkii var. moratus, Aster cordifolius var. laevigatus, Aster cordifolius var. incisus, Leiachenis cordifolia, Solidago cordifolia, Aster cordifolius var. glabratus, Aster cordifolius var. furbishiae, Symphyotrichum sagittifolium, Aster cordifolius var. alvearius, Symphyotrichum lowrieanum, Aster cordifolius var. polycephalus, Aster sagittifolius f. albiflorus, Aster cordifolius var. pedicellatus, Aster cordifolius var. moratus, Aster cordifolius var. lanceolatus, Aster cordifolius subsp. laevigatus, Aster pallidulus, Aster cordifolius var. racemiflorus, Aster cordifolius var. sagittifolius, Aster lowrieanus var. bicknellii, Aster lowrieanus, Aster leiophyllus var. lanceolatus, Aster leiophyllus var. incisus, Aster cordifolius subsp. sagittifolius
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Botanical Description
Symphyotrichum cordifolium, the heart-leaved aster or common blue wood aster, is a perennial herb of the daisy family (Asteraceae) native to eastern North America from Quebec and Minnesota south to Georgia and Alabama. It grows from short rhizomes into clumps 30–120 cm tall, with slender, often arching, glabrous to slightly puberulent stems that branch widely in the inflorescence. The lower stem leaves are distinctive in being broadly ovate to heart-shaped with sharply serrate margins and slender, often winged petioles, while upper leaves become smaller, lanceolate and sessile. Numerous small flower heads are borne in a large, open, paniculiform inflorescence; each head is 1–2 cm across with 8–20 pale blue, lavender, or rarely white ray florets surrounding a center of yellow disc florets that age to reddish-purple. Blooming from late summer through autumn, it is a common understorey and edge plant in deciduous forests, woodland clearings, stream banks, and roadside thickets, where it provides important late-season nectar for pollinators.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
Ojibwa people used the root to make a smoke or incense to attract deer within bowshot, one of several composites employed in such hunting charms (NAEB: Smith, 1932).
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.