Plant DetailShow Menu

Boltonia decurrens is often confused with:
Boltonia asteroides Boltonia asteroides
Native alternative(s) for Boltonia decurrens:
Saururus cernuus Saururus cernuus
Smilax walteri The only red fruited Smilax in North Carolina.  Winter, Craven C
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Ludwigia alternifolia Flower
Tradescantia x andersoniana Tradescantia andersoniana 'Osprey'
Viola macloskeyi Viola macloskeyi

Boltonia decurrens

Previously known as:

  • Boltonia asteroides var. decurrens
  • Boltonia latisquama var. decurrens
Description

Decurrent False Aster is an herbaceous perennial, a species of flowering plant native to a small area of Illinois and Missouri and is protected under the Endangered Species act. It grows along floodplains and wetlands and in moist bottomlands of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Although native to those area only, seeds may be obtained by gardeners in other areas of the country. The plant requires periodic flooding, but not continued standing water and can grow quite tall, requiring staking or other support.

Decurrent False Aster typically forms a clump 4  to 6 feet tall on erect branching stems. Pale pink or purple-tinged to white daisy-like flowers (to 1” diameter) cover this aster-like plant with a profuse bloom in August and September. Each flower has pale pink to white rays with a yellow center disk.

Decurrent False Aster prefers full sun, wet to moist conditions, and fertile soil containing loam, clay-loam, or silty deposits. The plant can tolerate drier conditions in gardens if it is watered during dry spells. The plant will grow best if cut back by a third in the Spring.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: May require support when tall. Powdery mildew may be a problem.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#herbaceous perennial#wet soils tolerant#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#herbaceous perennial#wet soils tolerant#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Boltonia
    Species:
    decurrens
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central United States, eastern IL western MO
    Distribution:
    Found in Eastern Illinois and Western Missouri, along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Achenes are obovoid, somewhat flattened and winged. They are dispersed by the wind or float on water.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Daisy-like flowers born on dome-shaped panicles up to 2 feet across from late Summer into Autumn. Each daisy-like flowerhead is ¾–1" across, consisting of 40-60 white to purple-tinged ray florets that surround a dense head of yellow disk florets.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Lance-shaped, clasping, spreading to drooping leaves are alternate on the stem and becoming smaller as they ascend. Central stems leaves are up to 7" long and 1½" across. Leaf venation is pinnate and prominent near the base. Lateral stems develop from the axils of the leaves, especially in the middle to upper sections. These leaves are smaller at 3 inches long and 1/2 inch wide, elliptic or linear-lanceolate in shape, margins entire, and either sessile or decurrent at their bases forming wings.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
    Stem Description:
    Either a solitary or branching central stems are vertically veined, glabrous, round and sometimes glaucous.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil