Latin
for "star" referring to the shape of the
flowers. The common name, Michaelmas daisy or
Christmas aster comes from the fact that in
England, they may bloom as late as Christmas.
Asters tend to bloom in later summer and
through the fall so they provide an extended
season in the garden.
Note:
Certain members of this very large genus
have been moved recently as a result of
studies by
taxonomists to other genera
including,
Symphyotrichum.
