Stiff Aster is a small native wildflower of dry, rocky, acidic outcrops and pine barrens across eastern North America, with linear, stiff leaves and small purple-blue flowers in fall. It is an indicator of high-quality dry, acidic habitats. Specialist bees visit it for late-season nectar and pollen in these nutrient-poor environments.
Best time to see a Stiff Aster
The best time to see a Stiff Aster is September–October, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 2,549 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Stiff Aster? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Stiff Aster sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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