Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G.L.Nesom

Tap-rooted annual or short-lived perennial herb, glabrous or rarely with a few hairs on upper stem; stems erect, terete, sparingly branched below, 20–200 -(300) cm tall, rarely stems resprouting and somewhat woody after flowering. Mid cauline lvs lanceolate to linear, apetiolate and cuneate, acute, crenulate or remotely serrulate, 35–150 × 3–10–(20) mm; lowermost lvs mostly petiolate, elliptic, cuneate, obtuse; uppermost lvs linear. Infl. a many-headed diffuse panicle. Capitula 2–5 mm diam. Involucral bracts very unequal; inner bracts narrow-oblong to subulate, acute to slightly acuminate, green toward apex and along midrib, purplish at apex and margins, 5–8 mm long; outer bracts not wholly herbaceous, c. 2 mm long. Ray florets numerous; ligules white to pale purple, c. 1–2 mm long. Achenes subcylindric to ellipsoid, compressed, 4–5-ribbed, 1.5–2.2 mm long, with sparse antrorse hairs.

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

Flowering: Jan.–Jul.–(Dec.)