Israel flowers: Annual Saltmarsh Aster

Aster subulatus, Symphyotrichum subulatum, Annual Saltmarsh Aster,
Hebrew: אסתר מרצעני

Scientific name:   Aster subulatus Michx.
Synonym name:   Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G.L. Nesom
Common name:   Annual Saltmarsh Aster
Hebrew name:   אסתר מרצעני
Family:   Compositae / Asteraceae, מורכבים


Life form:   Annual
Stems:   30–180 cm high, erect, almost glabrous; stems branched above, rigid, smooth, reddish
Leaves:   Alternate, entire, smooth
Flowers:   White daisies with 5mm long ‘petals’ (ray florets)
Fruits / pods:   Achenes 1.5–2 mm long, narrow, 4–5 ribbed, sparsely hairy; pappus whitish
Flowering Period:   April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Habitat:   Disturbed habitats
Distribution:   Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands, Semi-steppe shrublands, Shrub-steppes, Deserts and extreme deserts
Chorotype:   American
Summer shedding:   Ephemeral


Derivation of the botanical name:

Aster, ἀστήρ (astḗr), a star, referring to the shape of the flower head.

subulatus, subula, a fine sharp point, lit. an awl; awl-shaped.
Symphyotrichum , from Greek symphysis, “to grow together”, and trichos or trichinos, “hair” in possible reference to the flower anthers.
The Hebrew name: אסתר, aster, transliteration from the scientific name.

  • The standard author abbreviation Michx. is used to indicate André Michaux (1746 – 1803), a French botanist and explorer.