Calico or one-sided or white woodland or starved aster
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
Synonyms: Aster lateriflorus var. spatelliformis, Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. tenuipes, Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. horizontale, Aster diffusus var. hirsuticaulis, Aster diffusus, Aster divergens var. diffusus, Aster diffusus f. hirsuticaulis, Aster miser var. diffusus, Aster divergens var. pendulus, Aster miser var. divergens, Aster lateriflorus var. bifrons, Aster bellidiflorus var. rigidulus, Aster lateriflorus, Aster lateriflorus var. hirsuticaulis, Aster lateriflorus var. glomerullus, Aster miser var. pendulus, Aster recurvatus, Aster miser var. glomerellus, Aster spatelliformis, Aster miser var. miserrimus, Aster vimineus var. dubius, Aster tradescanti, Aster pendulus, Aster lateriflorus var. tenuipes, Aster lateriflorus var. pendulus, Venatris salicifolius, Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. hirsuticaule, Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. angustifolium, Aster horizontalis, Aster acadiensis, Aster miser var. abbreviatus, Aster diffusus var. variifolius, Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. spatelliforme, Aster hirsuticaulis, Aster diffusus var. bifrons, Aster seliger, Aster divergens var. humilior, Aster diffusus f. bifrons, Aster diffusus var. horizontalis, Aster lateriflorus var. flagellaris, Aster lateriflorus var. angustifolius, Aster miser, Aster agrostifolius, Aster tenuipes, Aster lateriflorus var. horizontalis, Aster divergens, Aster lateriflorus var. grandis, Aster miser var. vimineus, Aster miser var. hirsuticaulis, Aster miser var. myrtifolius, Aster vimineus var. columbianus, Aster myrtifolius, Aster lateriflorus var. indutus, Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. flagellare, Aster leucanthemus, Solidago lateriflora, Aster scoparius, Aster divaricatus
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Botanical Description
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum, the calico aster, side-flowering aster or white woodland aster, is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family native to eastern and central North America, from Ontario and Quebec south through the eastern United States to the Gulf Coast and Texas, with disjunct populations in Veracruz, Mexico. Plants form clumps of one to five erect to spreading reddish stems 20 to 120 centimetres tall, with a characteristic horizontal or zigzag branching pattern. The alternate, simple, lanceolate to elliptic leaves diminish in size up the stem, the lowest sometimes shed before flowering. From late summer into autumn the slender side branches carry numerous small flower heads arranged along one side, each head about 1 centimetre across, with 7 to 15 short white (occasionally pale pink-tinged) ray florets surrounding a centre of pink-purple to reddish disc florets that turn purplish-brown with age, giving the inflorescence its calico-like appearance. The species occupies a wide range of habitats from moist floodplain woodlands and fens to drier prairies and sandy thickets.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
The Meskwaki burned the whole plant as a smoke or steam in their sweatbath ceremonies and smudged the blossoms 'to cure a crazy person who has lost his mind' (Smith, 1928). Other accounts record Mohawk use of infusions of the plant to treat fevers.
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.