crookedstem aster

Symphyotrichum prenanthoides (formerly Aster prenanthoides) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name crookedstem aster. It is native to northcentral and northeastern North America.

This rhizomatous perennial herb produces colonies of plants with stems that may exceed 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) in length. These stems grow upright to erect and may be crooked or nearly straight, often becoming thick and purple with age. The leaves vary in size and shape. The flower heads are borne in branching arrays on purplish stems. The ray florets are lavender or blue in color, or sometimes white. There are up to 30 ray florets measuring up to 15 millimeters (3⁄5 inch) in length. At the center are disk florets in shades of cream and yellow to purple or brown.