Description
The Symphyotrichum sericeum plant is distinctive in the wild due to the silky texture; no other American aster is sericeous throughout. This is a perennial herb growing from rhizomes. The stem is erect, sometimes branching. It is sericeous (silky) throughout, giving the stem a silvery-grey appearance. Basal leaves are oblanceolate in shape and have petioles. Cauline leaves, those growing along the stem, are ovate to ovate-lanceolate in shape, with alternate attachment to stem, sessile, acuminate at the base, acute at the tip. Leaf margins are entire, or smooth and lacking teeth or serration. Leaf texture is sericeous adaxally (above) and abaxally (below), giving the leaves a silvery-grey appearance.
Compared to other American asters, the flowers appear disproportionately large for the plant's size. The inflorescence is terminal, occurring at the top of the stem, and consists of a single head. The involucre is ovate to lanceolate in shape and sericeous. Ray flowers are blue and fertile. Disc flowers are white, with stamens yellow to brown. The fruit is an achene.
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