"Showy Aster" (Eurybia conspicua)
2008 June 24
2008 June 24
2008 July 24
2008 July 28
2008 July 28This plant is quite common, we have it all along the edge of our property. Unfortunately, the leaves get ugly spots on them by the time they flower so it detracts from their appearance. The leaves dry quite hard and brittle in the autumn, and make a rattling noise ... the Okanagan peoples' name for this plant means 'rattling noise' or 'shuffling noise.'
It also boasts some medicinal properties:
* water from soaking the roots may be used to wash sores, boils and infections
* an eye medicine may be made from the flowers.
Fair to good forage for cattle and good forage for sheep as well. Elk also feed on this plant through the fall and winter.
2 comments:
We are going to have fun with Asters, as the taxonomists have changed all the names! Now there is Symphyotrichum, Eurybia, Eucephalus and Ionactis. Aster conspicuous is now known as Eurybia conspicua. E-Flora BC is just updating to these names now, but the province updated them a few months ago. Too bad we can't update our field guides!
It's very lovely and you've captured the blue to perfection. Our asters have buds but won't bloom for a bit longer!
Gail
clay and limestone
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