Spreading Aster is also known as Purple Daisy.

Plant is an upright, colony forming perennial with a rhizome, from which new growth emerges.  Preferred habitat is woodlands, fields, roadsides and the edge of pine woods. Distribution is throughout the Escambia region.

The leaves of Spreading Aster are alternate on the stem, consisting of one whole part, have no leaf stalks, lance-like to oblong, no teeth and no lobes.  The tip graduates to a narrowly rounded point and is pinched at slightly less than a right angle.  Leaf base is rounded and eared.

The flowers are panicles. Each flower is bisexual in nature and symmetrical in form. The disc flowers are yellow or purple. Ray flowers are purple, blue or violet. Flowers occur in late summer and early autumn.

Fruit is achene (a seed which outer layer is fused to it).