Symphyotrichum pratense

May be distinguished from other asters by its appressed, whitish looking leaves covered with fine appressed hairs, blue flower heads, and leaves that are not reduced on the flowering branches, often obscuring the phyllaries.

Seed germination improves with cold/moist stratification (Steffen 1997). There are approximately 83,000 seed/lb. Western silver aster self-sows and can also be divided in late fall or early spring. Cuttings can be taken in spring when shoots are 1 1/2 to 2 inches tall and rooted in sand.

The following information is for the genus Aster: Animals that eat its seeds: Wild turkey. Animals that eat the plant: Cottontail, White-tailed deer (Martin et al. 1951). This plant is also a special value to native bees.

In coastal prairie this species is restricted to Louisiana and southeast Texas.

Prairies, plains, meadows, pastures, savannas, ditches, ravines, depressions, open woods, and sandy soils.