Eurybia hemispherica

The most noticeable thing about this native aster is the size of its flowerheads.  From large buds come large purple daisy flowers with attractive yellow centers.  Its rather short stems are decked out with thin grass-like leaves giving giving it a different texture than some Asters.  This fall blooming and butterfly attracting perennial does spread by underground stems but doesn’t seem overly aggressive.  Still, growing it in well-watered beds amended with organic matter will necessitate its division every 2 or 3 years.  Southern Prairie Aster is a somewhat rare species and actually considered endangered in Florida, Georgia and Kentucky.  This plant is very similar in appearance to E. paludosa.