Unidentified Devon Daisy

[Taragon the Dragon]

I saw this Daisy on the edge of a Devon lane on the 10 October. It was covered in Hoverflies (which I was trying to photograph). Can anyone please tell me what it is?







Thanks very much

Taragon

[leifus]

some form of michelmas daisy - someone else will be able to tell you which one probably

it could well be a garden escapee though

[Darley]

Maybe an escaped garden Aster variety?

[davidbr]

It's Glaucous Michaelmas-daisy (Aster laevis), like all the Asters an American introduction and originally, as leifus said, a garden escape.

Very attractive plant though - I was lucky enough to come across a patch near me earlier in the month which had covered about 20 square yards of railway bank, making a spectacular sight in flower. That's probably why, however, they escaped from gardens so freely...

[Taragon the Dragon]

Thanks everyone.

The hoverflies were certainly enjoying them.

Nice to know what they are.

Taragon

[KeenTeen17]

yeah the michaelmas daisy are confusing to ID unless you have a plant right in front of you because there are so many garden varieties. But I think dave is right.

[davidbr]

They are extremely difficult

The most common type is Aster x salignus, every Aster that I saw flowering in August & early September turned out to be this. A. laevis is one that I find easier to identify, not sure why - something just sticks in the head about it, I guess

I've still got a few pictures of various michaelmas-daisies that I'm trying and so far failing to put a definite name to. The trouble is that there doesn't seem to be any good/reliable photos online for the more unusual species; I've been looking for a good shot of A.x versicolor, Late Michaelmas-daisy, because I'm sure some of the late-flowering ones I've found must come under that category, but so far no joy

[Darley]

I don't know these plants as Michaelmas Daisies, I know them as Asters. I have lived in Devon for 46 years and gardened since I was 10 (professionally for 5 years) and all this other Michaelmas Daisy stuff is new to me! Am I the only person here who never calls them Michaelmas Daisies?!

[Gypsy Orchid]

Originally Posted by Darley

I don't know these plants as Michaelmas Daisies, I know them as Asters. I have lived in Devon for 46 years and gardened since I was 10 (professionally for 5 years) and all this other Michaelmas Daisy stuff is new to me! Am I the only person here who never calls them Michaelmas Daisies?!

Ihave also found this confusing as I thought the only wild form was Sea aster Aster tripolium which I often see in Devon

[Lancashire Lad]

I'm not an Aster specialist, but the pics do look like Sea Aster to me. (Which would easily still be in flower mid October given the mild weather at that time).

Regards
Mike.