This sprawling annual aster has showy, pink flowers (A,B), and thin (linear) leaves on thin, skelleton-like branches. The underside of the leaves usually have white midribs and the leaf axils show pink (C). By November the stems turn purple and the seed heads start to form (D). This plant was identified with the help of University of Nebraska Biology Professors Sutherland and Kaul.
First collected around Lincoln’s salt marshes, this plant has spread to other parts of the State, especially along roads where salt had been spread during winters. Two plants were first discovered in Fontenelle Forest in mid-September 2012 along the floodplain trails; the year after the big flood.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Roland Barth.