Climbing Aster

Ampelaster carolinianus grows on the outer coastal plain. It is possibly extirpated in North Carolina.

Plants deciduous to evergreen by production of new growth, sprawling, climbing over other plants. Stems weak, 5–10 mm diam., branches at right angles. Leaf blades 30–70 × 10–15(–20) mm, reduced distally, membranous, bases auriculate-clasping, apices acuminate. Heads 1–15 per branch. Peduncles 1–4 cm, densely pilose; bracts lanceolate to ovate, 3–10 mm. Ray florets: laminae 9–15(–20) × 1–1.6 mm; style-branch appendages narrowly triangular. Disc florets corollas 6–8 mm, limbs 50–60% corollas, lobes 0.6–1.1 mm, 10–20% corollas. Cypselae usually tan to brown, sometimes mottled purple to black between light colored ribs, 3.5–4.3 mm; pappi shorter than disc corollas. 2n = 18.

Aster carolinianus Walter, Fl. Carol., 208. 1788; A. scandens J. Jacquin ex Sprengel; Symphyotrichum carolinianum (Walter) Wunderlin & B. F. Hansen; Virgulus carolinianus (Walter) Reveal & Keener