Calico aster is still having a big fall moment in Canada
iNaturalist Community
Native Plants
If you're walking trails or field edges right now, the small white-and-purple-centered daisies crowding roadsides and meadow margins are likely this native aster, putting on one of its last shows before frost.
Calico aster is a native wildflower with small white blooms that often have a reddish or purple center, and it's common across Canada in late summer and fall. Right now it's one of the most-spotted plants on iNaturalist, with 216 people logging sightings in a single week, even though that's roughly half the count from the week before. The drop just reflects the season turning: asters peak hard for a few weeks and then fade fast as cooler weather sets in.
Key Findings
216 observations of calico aster were logged in Canada over the past 7 days, among the highest counts for any plant species in that period.
Observations fell by 248 compared to the prior week, down from 464 to 216, a roughly 53% decrease.
The species remains one of the most frequently recorded plants nationally despite the week-over-week decline, suggesting it's still in active bloom across much of its range.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Calico aster sightings spiked across Canada this week, with 216 observations logged on iNaturalist, making it one of the most-recorded wild plants in the country right now, even though that's down from 464 the week before.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Trending: calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) — 216 observations this week
Calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is a species in the family Asteraceae. iNaturalist users recorded 216 observations of it in Canada in the 7 days before today, among the most for any plan...
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
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Symphyotrichum lateriflorum is a species of flowering plant in the aster family (Asteraceae). Commonly known as calico aster, starved aster, and white woodland aster, it is native to eastern and central North America. It is a perennial and herbaceous plant that may reach heights up to 120 centime...