Aster ericoides of Michigan Flora.

Prairies (dry to wet), marshy shores, meadows; often along roadsides, railroads, fencerows, fields; sometimes weedy in disturbed sites.

Distinctive in its numerous, crowded, small heads, often on long one-sided branches. The rays are normally white. The cauline leaves are very small, numerous, ± linear, rather rough-pubescent (or at least ciliate). Hybridizes with S. novae-angliae (see that species). Sometimes may be mistaken for S. pilosum (or vice versa). Even if the pubescence on the phyllaries of S. ericoides is not clear, the shorter, stubbier look to the phyllaries and leaves will help to distinguish it.