Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Willd.) G.L.Nesom

Perennial herb with long rhizomes; stems erect, terete to slightly ribbed, with short, simple hairs in lines or stripes above, at least in infl., becoming glabrous below, branched only above, 50–150 cm tall. Mid cauline lvs narrow-lanceolate, apetiolate and cuneate, acute to acuminate, entire or serrulate to remotely serrate, glabrous or sparsely hairy about margins 70–150–(200) × 6–12–(15) mm; uppermost lvs smaller. Infl. a many-headed, narrow panicle. Capitula c. 15–25 mm diam.; peduncles with lines or stripes of simple hairs. Involucral bracts somewhat unequal; inner bracts linear-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, glabrous, with a diamond-shaped green patch near apex and extending down midrib, also sometimes tinged or spotted purple, 5–6 mm long; outer bracts not wholly herbaceous, c. 3–4 mm long. Ray florets numerous; ligules usually white, sometimes flushed pink or violet, 8–12 mm long. Achenes subcylindric to obovoid, slightly compressed, 4–5-ribbed, 2–2.5 mm long, with sparse antrorse hairs.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4. as Aster lanceolatus Willd.]

Flowering: Feb.–May.