White Heath Aster
(Aster pilosus)

During late summer and fall, the most important nectar plant is the aster.  Bees, wasps, butterflies and moths hover over the blossoms in the gardens at Lakeside; at times there are so many insects feeding that the flowers are almost obscured.

White heath asters are found all over the state of Missouri in old fields, gravel bars and waste places.  By the way, there are more than 20 species of asters found in Missouri; just a few of the most common grow in the gardens at Lakeside Nature Center.