"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.
