Aster Weed - introduced (*Aster subulatus)

Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family).

Native of North America.

Occurrence: A widespread and common wetland weed e.g. along creeks, near reservoirs, and in seasonally wet areas. It is occasionally found on pasture land.

Identification:

• it is an erect branching herb growing up to several metres high
• the petals of the daisy flowers do not open widely
• it is almost hairless
• the leaves clasp the stems, and become smaller towards the top of the plant.

Name: Aster: from the Greek aster: a star.

It is an environmental weed.