Under The Jakfruit Tree

This week’s featured plants are two native asters in the Smphyotrichum genus. Symphyotrichum dumosum (Rice Button Aster), is a mounding herbaceous plant native to eastern North America. In Florida, it is present in most of the state, but most noticeably absent from Hendry, Palm Beach, and Broward counties. The three counties just south of Lake Okeechobee. It occurs in drier prairie and grassland habitats. This Aster has pale lavender blossums, which are present in the fall and winter months in South Florida. The flowers attract Skipper Butterflies and honey bees.

Symphyotrichum carolinianum (Climbing Aster), is a woody vine/shrub, also native to eastern North America. It also occurs in almost all of Florida, except the western most Panhandle counties. Unlike its cousin, this aster grows in the wetlands of Florida. The flowers are very similar in size and color to the Rice Button Aster, and they also attract Skipper Butterflies and honey bees.

If you desire some color in the fall and winter months, these plants are for you and are available at Richard Lyons Nursery.