Practical
Plants

Aster macrophyllus

Bigleaf Aster

a perennial member of the Aster genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Aster
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Very young leaves - cooked and used as a vegetable[14][15][2][4][6]. The leaves are said to act as a medicine as well as a food, though no details are given[12]. Only young leaves are eaten as old leaves quickly become tough[10]. Roots - cooked. They have been used in soups[12].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The roots have been used as a blood medicine[12]. An infusion of the root has been used to bathe the head to treat headaches[12]. A compound decoction of the roots has been used as a laxative in the treatment of venereal disease[12].

Product or use
Blood purifier
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
VD

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be used as a ground cover in light shade, forming a spreading clump[9][11].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[5].
Habitat
Dry to moist open woods, thickets and clearings[13]. By rivers and streams in Britain[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow in spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to become dry. Pre-chilling the seed for two weeks can improve germination rates[3]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks at 20°c[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[8]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whist smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most good garden soils[1], preferring one that is well-drained and moisture retentive[8]. Prefers a sunny position[8]. Succeeds in dry soils in the shade[8]. Grows well in light woodland shade[16], succeeding amongst the roots of other plants[11]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[7]. The plant has an invasive root system and can spread freely when well sited[11]. Slugs are fond of this plant and have destroyed even quite large clumps by eating out all the new growth in spring[K]. Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[11]. A very variable plant with many different forms[7], it hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

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  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

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  10. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

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  11. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  12. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  13. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

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  14. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  15. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  16. RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987-00-00

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