The Climbing Aster, Symphyotrichum carolinianum, was formally known as Aster carolinianus. The scientific name was changed during the process of preparing a revised edition of the Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida, 1998.
The plant grows as a many branched sprawling shrub; the stem may be up to 10 feet or more in length. True to its common name it is often found climbing up through and over vegetation. The plant likes full sun and wet to moist conditions. It is most often found growing along wetland margins, such as marshes, rivers, streams, lake/pond margins and swamp margins.
The leaves are simple, alternate with small appended leaves or lobes on each side of its petiole or base. Flowers are composed of narrow ray flowers that are lavender to pale lavender and yellow disc flowers. Flowers peak in the fall though the plant can be found flowering all year.
This plant can be confused with other members of the Aster genus. It is our only native aster with woody stems over 1 meter in length. In addition, the upper leaf surface is scabrous or rough to the touch.
REFERENCES:
Wunderlin, Richard P. and Bruce F. Hansen. Seven New Combinations in the Florida Flora. Novon, Vol. 11, No. 3 (Autumn, 2001), pp. 366-369
Symphyotrichum carolinianum http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3150&syn_name=Ampelaster+carolinianus
Featured Plants, Climbing Aster http://www.dep.state.fl.us/WATER/wetlands/delineation/featuredplants/astcar.htm
Natives for your Neighborhood, Climbing Aster http://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Astecaro