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Tatarian Aster🌼
Aster tataricus
シオン
A perennial in the daisy family, distributed from Siberia through China to Kyūshū, Japan. A large plant 1.5–2 m tall, bearing many pale purple to blue-purple flower heads in corymbs in autumn. A classical ornamental mentioned in Konjaku Monogatari and the Tale of Genji. The dried root, known as 'shi-on' (purple aster), is a traditional Chinese and Japanese expectorant herb. Classified as endangered (Category II) in Japan.
Identification Points
- ✓Large, 1.5–2 m tall
- ✓Many pale purple flower heads in corymbs
- ✓Large oblong leaves; basal leaves up to 30 cm
Habitat
Mountains and wetlands (native); cultivated
Season
September to October (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Ovate
Growth form
Herb
Flower color
Purple
Flowering season
Summer
Habitat
Mountain
Phylogenetic Positionキク科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Asterales > Asteraceae
Divergence Era
Late Cretaceous to Paleogene (approx. 80–70 million years ago)
Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification