new england aster
new england aster Lexical Profile
• noun
North American A tall, herbaceous perennial flowering plant (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) native to North America, characterized by clusters of bright purple, pink, or bluish daisy-like flowers with yellow centers that bloom in late summer and autumn.
"The gardener planted New England asters in the perennial border to provide late-season nectar for migrating monarch butterflies."
Word Nuance & Usage
Though historically classified in the genus Aster, botanical reclassification has moved it to the genus Symphyotrichum, yet it strictly retains its traditional common name.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Named for the New England region of the northeastern United States where it is abundant, combined with 'aster', derived from the Ancient Greek 'astēr' meaning 'star', referring to the shape of its flower heads.