Pollinator plant

calico aster

Aster lateriflorus

Pollinator recipe
Sign in to use recipes

Common names

17 names · 9 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Aster[1]
  • calico aster[1][2][3]
  • Calico or one-sided or white woodland or starved aster[4]
+4 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (8)
Dutch
  • Herfstaster
  • Uitstaande aster[2][3]
French
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 侧花卷舌菊[3]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 側花捲舌菊[3]
Lithuanian
  • Vėlyvasis astrūnas[3]
Russian
  • Астра бокоцветная[3]
  • Симфиотрихум бокоцветный[3]
Slovak
  • astra prútnatá[3]
Ukrainian
  • Симфіотрих бокоцвітий[3]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Symphyotrichum lateriflorum — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Calico Aster — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • Aster — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • Side-Flowering Aster — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • Starved Aster — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
[2] Symphyotrichum lateriflorum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • calico aster — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • narrow-leaved calico aster — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • slender-stalked calico aster — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • starved aster — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • Aster calicot — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • Uitstaande aster — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
[3] Symphyotrichum lateriflorum — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • calico aster — results[19].names[2]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • narrow-leaved calico aster — results[19].names[10]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • slender-stalked calico aster — results[19].names[9]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • starved aster — results[19].names[8]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • Aster calicot — results[19].names[3]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • Uitstaande aster — results[19].names[13]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • Астра бокоцветная — results[19].names[4]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • Симфиотрихум бокоцветный — results[19].names[5]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • Vėlyvasis astrūnas — results[19].names[6]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • 侧花卷舌菊 — results[19].names[7]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • 側花捲舌菊 — results[19].names[11]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • astra prútnatá — results[19].names[12]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
  • Симфіотрих бокоцвітий — results[19].names[14]; taxon id 122249; Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
[4] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Symphyotrichum lateriflorum ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Calico or one-sided or white woodland or starved aster (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 144436; taxon 53Q88.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Catalogue of Life treats Aster lateriflorus as a synonym of Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family
Asteraceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [2]
Mature height
0.61–1.22 m

NC State Extension profile, published as Symphyotrichum lateriflorum; accepted-name linkage follows Catalogue of Life. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [3]
Mature spread
0.3–0.61 m

NC State Extension profile, published as Symphyotrichum lateriflorum; accepted-name linkage follows Catalogue of Life. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [3]
Plant habit
Clumping; Erect; Spreading

NC State Extension profile, published as Symphyotrichum lateriflorum; accepted-name linkage follows Catalogue of Life.

Sources [3]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile, published as Symphyotrichum lateriflorum; accepted-name linkage follows Catalogue of Life.

Sources [3]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile, published as Symphyotrichum lateriflorum; accepted-name linkage follows Catalogue of Life.

Sources [3]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile, published as Symphyotrichum lateriflorum; accepted-name linkage follows Catalogue of Life.

Sources [3]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Dry

NC State Extension profile, published as Symphyotrichum lateriflorum; accepted-name linkage follows Catalogue of Life.

Sources [3]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile, published as Symphyotrichum lateriflorum; accepted-name linkage follows Catalogue of Life.

Sources [3]
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile, published as Symphyotrichum lateriflorum; accepted-name linkage follows Catalogue of Life. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [3]
Flowering season
Autumn; Summer

NC State Extension profile, published as Symphyotrichum lateriflorum; accepted-name linkage follows Catalogue of Life. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [3]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, pollinators, specialized bees.

NC State Extension profile, published as Symphyotrichum lateriflorum; accepted-name linkage follows Catalogue of Life. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [3]
Native range
Canada to Mexico (Veracruz).

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [4]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Low
Plant profile

About this plant

calico aster (Aster lateriflorus) is a herbaceous plant. Its flowering period is not specified.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Aster lateriflorus — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 4872077; ID HQD3; rank species; status synonym

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Symphyotrichum lateriflorum — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 1316143; ID 53Q88; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 1316143; ID 53Q88; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  3. NC State Extension Symphyotrichum lateriflorum — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Symphyotrichum lateriflorum — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 510436, 510500; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1664831, 1664832, 1664833, 1664834, 1664835, 1664836, 1664837, 1664838, 1664839, 1664840, 1664841, 1664842, 1664843, 1664844, 1664845, 1664846, 1664847, 1664848, 1664849, 1664850, 1664851, 1664852, 1664853, 1664854, 1664855, 1664856, 1664857, 1664858, 1664859, 1664860, 1664861, 1664862, 1664863, 1664864, 1664865, 1664866, 1664867, 1664868, 1664869, 1664870, 1664871, 1664872, 1664873, 1664874

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.