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Mississippi National River and Recreation AreaA blue heron wades along one of the shallow lakes of the Mississippi River corridor.
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Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Swamp Aster
Swamp Aster
Swamp Aster (Aster puniceus)

Description:Swamp aster is also called shining aster, is one of the more common wetland asters.

A perennial herb 2-6' high. This plant is found growing in various parts of the United States, in swamps, ditches, along the borders of small streams, and sometimes in dry soils. The leaves are oblong-lanceolate. The flowers are large, showy, of a pale-purple or lilac-blue color, having from 30 to 60 long, narrow rays.

It blooms from August to October.

The radicals or fibers of the root are the parts used, they are about the size of a pipe-stem, having a pungent, aromatic odor and taste, with some bitterness and astringency.


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Did You Know?
Sixty percent of all grain exported from the United States is transported and shipped from the Mississippi River.

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Last Updated: August 25, 2006 at 12:32 EST