While the majority of flowers have their peak bloom time in the summer months, the fall is the asters’ turn to shine. Although a quick look outside will leave no doubt that fall is here, with autumn colors and crunchy leaves falling to the ground, and insect numbers are definitely down, a number of important pollinator species, such as bees and moths are still active… and still need a source of food. Cold hardy late-blooming perennials, like asters, are a key component to their survival. 

One such late season pollinator plant is the flax-leaved ankle-aster (Ionactis linariifolia). This relatively dense and low-growing perennial is native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. It thrives in the sandy, nutrient poor soils found in our local pine barrens habitats and can be found throughout Cape Cod. Unlike the broader leaves common to most aster species, the flax-leaved ankle aster has distinctive linear leaves, that are almost needle-like, aiding in identification. Its flowers are light purple and approximately 1 inch in diameter. In fact, the genus name, Ionactis, is derived from the Greek words “ion,” meaning “violet” and “aktis” meaning “ray.” 

The flax-leaved ankle asters pictured here were being visited by bees in the genus Lasioglossum. What pollinator species can you find in asters?