Aster azureus Lindl. SKY-BLUE ASTER or STARWORT. "Copses and prairies, Niagara Falls (Clinton), and Ohio to Wisconsin and southward" (Gray's Manual of Botany, 5th edition p. 231). "Rare. Whirlpool woods, Niagara R., American side, Clinton," Day (1882). "Near DeVeaux College. LaSalle (Clinton)," Day (1888). Ontario, Queen Victoria Park, Panton (1890). Ontario: Whirlpool, Wm. Scott, Sept. 11, 1897, Heimburger (1955). "Very rare. Whirlpool woods, crest of limestone gorge of Niagara River, Niagara Co. (Clinton, Gen. Herb.: also see House, Annot. List Pl. NY., p. 700)," Zenkert (1934). DeVeaux College woods, Eckel (1986). Crest of gorge, Whirlpool State Park and DeVeaux College woods, Lamere (1991).

New York: Niagara Falls "at the Whirlpool," Clinton, June 29, 1933; DeVeaux College woods, Eckel 142285 (BUF); Frequent near bottom of Niagara River Gorge, just upstream from the Whirlpool. Alfred Schotz 544 October 6, 1990 (BUF); Whirlpool State Park upriver (south), narrow lawn area, ca. 20 individuals growing in an area bounded by low limestone boulders (unmown) Under Quercus muhlenbergii, Ostrya virgini P. M. Eckel s.n. Sept. 23, 2001 (BUF).

Reported as rare in the Niagara Frontier Region by Zander and Pierce (1979) and in New York State by Mitchell (1986). (As Aster oolentangiensis) This species is on the Rare Plant Status List of the New York Natural Heritage Program (Clemants, 1989).

*Aster brachyactis Blake. RAYLESS ASTER. (As A. angustus) Ontario: Roundhouse, Niagara Falls, Wm. Scott, Sept. 24, 1898; Sept. 12, 1903; Sept. 17, 1898 (TRT), Heimburger (1955).

Reported as a rare introduction in New York State by Mitchell (1986).

Aster conspicuus Lindl. ASTER. Ontario: Niagara Falls, Wm. Scott, Sept., 1900 (TRT), Heimburger (1955).

Not reported in the flora of New York State (Mitchell, 1986), or Ontario (Morton & Venn, 1990) or the flora of the Niagara Frontier region (Zander and Pierce, 1979), or the area covered by Fernald (1950). Peck (1961) reports its range as "Mainly in the yellow pine areas of northeastern Oregon, to British Columbia and Montana."

Aster cordifolius L. HEART-LEAVED ASTER, STARWORT. Goat Island, Sept. 19, 1877 (J. D. Hooker's American Journal). "Near DeVeaux College," Day (1888). Ontario, Queen Victoria Park, Panton (1890). Ontario, Niagara Park System, Cameron (1895). Ontario: Roundhouse, Niagara Falls, Wm. Scott, Sept. 17, 1898, Heimburger (1955). "... of the [Niagara] Parks," Hamilton (1943). Crest of the Niagara River gorge between Devil's Hole and Whirlpool Steps, with Quercus rubra, Qu. alba, Tilia Americana, Carya glabra, C. ovalis, Eckel (Nov. 7 2004).

New York: Ontario: wooded slope just N of Lower Arch RR Bridge, Eckel & Eckel, Oct. 10, 1987 (BUF); crest of the Niagara River gorge, Quercus rubra, Qu. alba, Carya glabra woods, sparse, Eckel Sept. 23, 1995 (BUF) also in moist woods, pathside at the base of the gorge, with Aster oolentangensis, A. sagittifolius, Eckel Sept. 23, 1995 (BUF); Lewiston

shore of Niagara River, 3 lots N of N boundary of Artpark, steep slope covered with Solida canadensis, S. graminifolia, Epilobium parviflorum, Juncus torreyi; sheet seepage constant P. M. Eckel with R. H. Zander s.n. Sept. 19, 2001 (BUF).

On the New York side, on September 23, 2004 the author made a walk between Devil's Hole and the DeVeaux (Whirlpool) steps both along the crest of the gorge and along the path at its base. This species was seen to be infrequent along the crest Oak-Hickory woodland, but more frequent along the moist, wooded base (which stays in shade until the end of morning). The typical form of the species was observed both in both high and low stations, growing with much more abundant A. sagittifolius and occasional A. oolentangiensis. In one collection the stems were very coarse, the leaves nearly smooth, the stems loosely pubescent, the stems were conspicuously flexuose (zig-zag) almost like Solidago flexicaulis, a common Goldenrod flowering at this time. The lower portion of the petioles were strongly winged but the leaf shape was distinctly that of A. cordifolius (very deeply cordate). The specimen was probably genenetically linked with A. sagittifolius. Voss (1996) discusses hybridization between the two species. Gus Yaki's sight record of A. lowrieanus below was probably such a hybrid. Aster lowrieanus is also much like A. cordifolius, but with winged petioles and other characters, putatively hybridizing with A. laevis, but in this case, more likely a cross between A. cordifolius and A. sagittifolius.

Aster divaricatus L. WHITE WOOD ASTER, STARWORT. (As A. corymbosus) "Goat Island. Lewiston," Day (1888). Ontario, Niagara Park System (as A. corymbosus), Cameron (1895). Queenston, Wm. Scott, Sept. 7, 1898; Aug. 27, 1898, Heimburger (1955). "... abundant in the open woods between the Glen and Brock's Monument," Hamilton (1943).

Range: swOnt. Status: Rare in Canada, Argus & White (1977). "An Appalachian Plateau and Highlands species reaching Ontario along the Niagara escarpment between Hamilton and New York," (Argus & White, 1983). Not listed as rare in the Niagara region by Zander and Pierce (1979) or New York State (Mitchell 1986).

Aster ericoides L. WHITE HEATH ASTER, STARWORT. "Near DeVeaux College," Day (1888). (As A. multiflorus), "Goat Island," Day (1888). Ontario, Queen Victoria Park (as Aster multiflorus), Panton (1890). Ontario: Queenston Heights, Wm. Scott, Sept. 20, 1902; Niagara Falls, Wm. Scott, Oct. 3, 1896, Heimburger (1955). "... of the Parks," Hamilton (1943). DeVeaux College woods, Eckel (1986).

New York: Deveaux College woods, margin of dense woods. Eckel 1101985 (BUF); gorge, old train bed below the Lower Arch RR Bridge, Eckel 300385 (BUF); Buckhorn Island, single population base of N. Grand Island bridge near shore, with Aster novae-angliae & hybridizing, open, Eckel, Oct. 21, 1997 (BUF).

Ontario: moraine just N of Lower Arch Railroad Bridge, Eckel & Eckel, Oct. 10, 1987 (BUF); Paradise Grove natural regeneration area,just S of village, Fort George S boundary: open Acer rubrum grass field, Quercus alba moist old woods; NE field, c.A. lanceol; A. laterif. P. M. Eckel s.n. Oct. 6, 1997 (BUF).

Aster laevis L. SMOOTH ASTER, STARWORT. Goat Island, Sept. 19, 1877 (J. D. Hooker's American Journal). "Near DeVeaux College," Day (1888). Ontario, Niagara Park System, Cameron (1895). Ontario: Queenston, Wm. Scott, Sept. 7, 1898; Niagara Falls, Wm. Scott, Oct. 3, 1896; Queenston Heights, Wm. Scott, Sept. 20, 1902; Roundhouse, Niagara Falls, Wm. Scott, Sept. 17, 1898, Heimburger (1955). "Common on the old railroad bed that skirts the Glen," Hamilton (1943). DeVeaux College woods, Eckel (1986). Crest of the Niagara River gorge between Devil's Hole and Whirlpool Steps, with Quercus rubra, Qu. alba, Tilia Americana, Carya glabra, C. ovalis, Eckel (Nov. 7 2004), infrequent here.

New York: Niagara Gorge, "opposite Whirlpool," Johnson, Sept. 3, 1921 (BUF); DeVeaux College woods, Eckel & Zander 182285 (BUF); DeVeaux College woods, Quercus rubra, Q. alba Acer saccharum, Hamamelis virginiana dry wood south (upriver) woods, thin soil over dolomit with Aster oolentangensis, P. M. Eckel s.n. Sept. 23, 2001 (BUF); old train bed below the Lower Arch RR Bridge, shaded stations with Solidago flexicaulis .Eckel 220685 (BUF); woods by Niagara University property, off Widmer Rd., Eckel 8705218 (BUF); Whirlpool State Park, rim of gorge, With Solidago juncea, Shepherdia canadensis, Rhus aromatica, R. typhina, Asclepias tuber. Eckel 8706073 (BUF); Lewiston. Upper railroad path at mouth of Niagara River and gorge, just S. of Artpark. Calcareous bedrock byt extensive shale-sandstone strata. Aster ericoides, A. sagittifolius, A. pilosus P. M. Eckel s.n. Sept. 23, 2001(BUF); Lewiston. shore of Niagara River, 3 lots N of N boundary of Artpark, steep slope covered with Solida canadensis, S. graminifolia, Epilobium parviflorum, Juncus torreyi; sheet seepage constant. P. M. Eckel with R. H. Zander s.n. Sept. 19, 2001 (BUF); base of Niagara River gorge below Whirlpool St. Pk. dirt path edge, wooded, shrubby, with A. laevis, A. macrophyllus; infrequent, wood edge Tilia americana, Ostrya virginiana. P. M. Eckel s.n. Sept. 29, 2001 (BUF).

Ontario: Niagara Glen, "open woods," Johnson, Sept. 1, 1918 (BUF); golf course, near School of Horticulture, Julie, Sept. 6, 1963 (NFO); "Nature Trail" area on rim of gorge just above and N of the Whirlpool Ravine Beside the Niagara River. Open path, gravelly forested rim of gorge. P. M. Eckel 909292 Oct. 10, 1987 (BUF); Paradise Grove natural regeneration area,just S of village, Fort George S boundary: open Acer rubrum grass field, Quercus alba moist old woods; NE field, A.ericoid.,A.lanceol. P. M. Eckel s.n. Oct. 6, 1997 (BUF).

Aster lateriflorus (L.) Britt. STARVED ASTER, CALICO ASTER, STARWORT. Goat Island, Sept. 19, 1877 (J.D. Hooker's American Journal). (As Aster diffusus) "Goat Island. Near Clifton, Ontario," Day (1888). (As Aster diffusus) Ontario, Queen Victoria Park, Panton (1890). (As Aster diffusus) Ontario, Niagara Park System, Cameron (1895). Ontario: Niagara, Wm. Scott, Aug. 27, 1898, Heimburger (1955). "... at Dufferin Islands," Hamilton (1943). DeVeaux College woods, Eckel (1986).

New York: Niagara Falls. E. Chamot Sep. 13[c.1888] (BUF): Deveaux College woods, Eckel 52285 (BUF); old railroad bed, upper section, Niagara gorge, with A. ericoides, A. simplex, Solidago Canadensis. Eckel 190685 (BUF); Goat Island, Terrapin Point, into spray zone with seepage. Crest of the HorseshoeFalls. Eckel 8705220 (BUF); Goat Island. Margin of shady woods, at entrance to road through woods near 3 Sister Islands. Not abundant in and around woods. With old Brassica colony. Rays white-dsc pink. P.M. Eckel with M.P. Eckel Oct. 15, 1983 (BUF); Goat Island on the Niagara River, SW thickets west of Three Sisters; river margin with hort. and native tree and shrubs; on alvar at water 's edge. Lower path. P. M. Eckel Oct. 2, 2001(BUF); Buckhorn Island, SW part of park,W of I90, near path along Niagara River from West River Parkway to Burntship Creek.Grassy road & A. sagittif., A. novae-angl. Eckel & Zander Oct. 1, 1997 (BUF); Buckhorn Island, SW part of park, W of I90, near path along Niagara River from West River Parkway to Burntship Creek, grassy road & A. sagittifolius, A. novae-angliae, Eckel, Oct. 1, 1997 (BUF).

Ontario: Dufferin Islands on the Niagara River. Moist river margin. Disc lobes deeply cleft. P. M. Eckel 9003831 Oct. 9, 1987 (BUF); Navy Island, central woods area, Quercus rubra, Q. palustris, Carya ovata, C. laciniosa, Eckel, Sept. 21, 1998 (BUF).

Aster lowrieanus Porter. LOWRIE'S ASTER. Ont.: "Woods above Whirlpool," sight record, Yaki (1970).

Reported as rare in the Niagara Frontier Region by Zander and Pierce (1979).

Aster macrophyllus L. LARGE-LEAVED ASTER, STARWORT. "Goat Island. Near Deveaux College," Day (1888). Ontario, Niagara Park System, Cameron (1895). Ontario: Queenston, Wm. Scott, Aug. 20, 1897; Sept. 7, 1898; Niagara, W. J. Potter, 1908, Heimburger (1955). "... of the Parks," Hamilton (1943). "Dufferin Islands," sight record, Yaki (1970).

New York: base of Niagara River gorge below Whirlpool St. Pk. dirt path edge, wooded, shrubby, with A. laevis, A. novae-angliae; infrequent, wood edge Tilia americana, Ostrya virginiana. P. M. Eckel s.n. Sept. 29, 2001 (BUF).

Ontario: Niagara Glen, Hamilton, Aug. 3, 1969 (NFO); rocky river's edge, wooded area S of entrance to Whirlpool Basin, base of gorge, Eckel, Aug. 30, 1987 (BUF); City of Niagara Falls, 1/2 mile S of Beck Rd. overpass on the QEW, W side; low, moist secondary woods. P.M. Eckel Oct.1, 1983 (BUF).

Aster novae-angliae L. NEW ENGLAND ASTER, STARWORT. Goat Island, Sept. 19, 1877 (J.D. Hooker's American Journal). "Goat Island and above the Falls on either side," Day (1888). Ontario, Niagara Park System (as Aster novae-angliae tradescanti) Cameron (1895). Ontario: Niagara Falls, Wm. Scott, Sept. 4, 1898; Roundhouse, Niagara Falls, Wm. Scott, Sept. 24, 1898, Heimburger (1955). "... very plentiful in the meadows and waste land of the Parks," Hamilton (1943). DeVeaux College woods, Eckel (1986).

New York: Deveaux College woods, Eckel 162285 (BUF); base of Niagara River gorge below Whirlpool St. Pk. dirt path edge, wooded, shrubby, with A. laevis, A. macrophyllus; infrequent, wood edge Tilia americana, Ostrya virginiana. P. M. Eckel s.n. Sept. 29, 2001 (BUF); old train bed , below the Lower Arch Bridge, upper, disturbed station, with Dipsacus silvestris, A. ericoides, A. lateriflorus, Niagara gorge, Eckel 150685 Sept. 21, 1985 (BUF); Second of the Three Sisters Islands, weedy margins of the path. Eckel 8741102 Oct. 21, 1986. (BUF); First Sister, Eckel & Eckel, Oct. 9, 1987 (BUF); Goat Island on the Niagara River. Shrubby slope, upper, on the southwest side of the Island. Abundant, with Aster lateriflorus. P. M. Eckel 881020 Sept. 1, 1987 (BUF); Goat Island, Terrapin Point, - into spray zone with seepage. Crest of the Horseshoe Falls, with Aster lateriflorus, Salix interior. Eckel 8705222. Sept. 12, 1986 (BUF); Buckhorn Island, E sector, clump by bank of east branch of Burntship Creek (also throughout), Eckel, Oct. 22, 1997 (BUF).

Ontario: City of Niagara Falls, Victoria Park, Cowells, Oct. 1, 1898 (BUF); moraine just N of Lower Arch Railroad Bridge, Eckel & Eckel, Oct. 10, 1987 (BUF); Navy Island 43*o3'N, 79*01'W, just south of Niagara Falls, Quercus rubra, Q. palustris, Carya ovata, C. laciniosa woods. West and S side of the island. Beach. P. M. Eckel s.n. Sept. 30, 1998 (BUF).

Erie Co. Tonawanda.Town of Tonawanda, Niagara Meadow. Frank W. Johnson Sept.20, 1925 (BUF).

Aster ontarionis Wiegand ONTARIO ASTER. Goat Island, island base, west side, dolomite talus between the cataracts, high moisture regime. Eckel & Zander, Oct. 4, 1990 (BUF); southwestern thickets, Eckel Sept. 1, 1987 (BUF).

This taxon is not reported for the Niagara Frontier region by Zander and Pierce (1979). This species is on the Rare Plant Status List of the New York Natural Heritage Program (Young, 1992). "The species is locally common in the wet woods of eastern Ontario, but rare along streams and in wet woods in southwestern Ontario," (Semple & Heard, 1987). I would like to thank Dr. Ahmut Jones for verification of this specimen.

[Aster patens Ait.] LATE PURPLE ASTER. "Near DeVeaux College," Day, 1888. "Niagara gorge, near DeVeaux College, according to Day (Day, Cat. Niag. Fl.) but no corresponding specimen found in Gen. Herb.)," Zenkert (1934).

This, as well as the next taxon, is reported as a doubtful element of the Niagara Frontier flora by Zander and Pierce (1979). It is listed for the New York State flora by Mitchell (1986). In Ontario it is "reject, ON report not confirmed," (Morton & Venn, 1990).

[var. phlogifolius (Muhl.) Nees.] THIN-LEAVED PURPLE ASTER. "With the typical variety [near DeVeaux College]," Day (1888).

Reported as a doubtful element of the Niagara Frontier flora by Zander and Pierce (1979).

Aster pilosus Willd. var.pilosus HAIRY ASTER. New York: DeVeaux Woods, Eckel & Eckel, October 29, 1989 (BUF); Goat Island on the Niagara River, Second Sister Island, extreme east end, middle of open dolomite pavement, alvar, with Solidago nemoralis. P. M. Eckel Oct. 2, 2001 (BUF).

Ontario: (var. pilosus) just S of village of Niagara on the Lake, Fort George S boundary, Niagara Parkway, open Acer rubrum field; with A. sagittifolius, A. lateriflorus, A. simplex. P. M. Eckel s.n. June 14, 1998(BUF); (as var. pringlei) Entrance to Adam Beck Hydro service road: weedy road margin just N of Wintergreen Flats. With Aster simplex. P. M. Eckel 9003833 Oct. 10, 1987 (BUF); (as var. pringlei) Navy Island 43*o3'N, 79*01'W, just south of Niagara Falls, Quercus rubra, Q. palustris, Carya ovata, C. laciniosa woods. West and S side of the island. Beach. P. M. Eckel s.n. Sept. 30, 1998 (BUF).

Reported as rare in the Niagara Frontier Region by Zander and Pierce (1979) and first reported for the region by Zenkert and Zander in 1975 based on relatively recent specimens (1946, 1967, 1973). Presently, this is one of the more common of the white Asters in the Niagara flora. In the flora of Ontario by Morton and Venn (1990), the varieties of this species are in synonymy with Aster pilosus Willd. The variety pringlei (A. Gray) S. F. Blake, attributed to the shores of the Great Lakes (on limestone pavements), with stems and leaves glabrous or nearly so, is too easily confused with the var. demotus in the Niagara Falls area to separate them (they are distinguished by height). Sempl;e, Heard and Xiang (1996) have synonymized all three varieties into the general var. pilosus.

Aster praealtus Poir. WILLOW ASTER.

Ontario. Paradise Grove natural regeneration area,just S of village, Fort George S boundary: open Acer rubrum grass field, Quercus alba moist old woods. Edge, near river rd. to 6 ft. P. M. Eckel s.n. Oct. 6, 1997 (BUF).

Semple, Heard and Xiang (1996) report this species as occurring only in western Ontario in the Windsor area in "prairie-like habitats such as oak savannahs." It is rare in Ontario, and threatened with extirpation. According to the map published by Smeple and Chmielewski in 1983 (Atlas of the Rare Vascular Plants of Ontario) this species is only known in Canada in the Windsor area. If this specimen is correctly identified, it marks a significant addition to the known existence of this species in Canada.

Aster prenanthoides Muhl. CROOKED-STEM ASTER. "Near Clifton, Ontario," Day (1888). Ontario, Queen Victoria Park, Panton (1890). "... of the Parks," Hamilton (1943).

New York: Niagara Falls, "in the talus," Clinton [1860-1879's] (BUF).

Range: swOnt. Ontario: Elgin Co. Status: Rare in Canada, Argus & White (1977). Reported as common and abundant in the Niagara Frontier region by Zenkert (1934), but probably exclusive of the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario.

Aster ptarmicoides (Nees) Torr. and Gray. [ = Solidago ptarmicoides (Nees) Boiv.] UPLAND WHITE ASTER. "Niagara Falls," Clinton (1864). Niagara county. "Near the Whirlpool, 1862. G. W. C." [George W. Clinton] (Regent. 1865 p. 205). "Rare. Whirlpool woods, Niagara R., American side," Day (1882). "Near DeVeaux College. A species not common in our region, but here rather abundant," Day (1888).

New York: Whirlpool Woods (sic), Niagara Gorge, rocky soil, Johnson No. 1001, Sept. 22, 1924 (BUF); Whirlpool Wood, top of the bank, Clinton [1860-1870's] (BUF); Whirlpool, gorge of the Niagara River, wooded slope of high limestone bank, Zenkert, Sept. 10, 1927 (BUF); Whirlpool State Park, "crest vegetation beyond the fence toward the drop," Eckel 8706067 (BUF). Ontario: N shore of Whirlpool Basin, [robust form 3' high], Zander & Eckel, Aug. 30, 1987 (BUF); flat rock projection into the river, river's edge at entrance to Whirlpool Basin, Eckel, Aug. 30, 1987 (BUF).

Reported as rare in the Niagara Frontier Region and in danger of extirpation through over-picking or habitat destruction by Zander and Pierce (1979).

Aster puniceus L. PURPLE-STEMMED ASTER, STARWORT. "Goat Island," Day (1888). Ontario, Niagara Park System, Cameron (1895). Ontario: Roundhouse, Niagara Falls, Wm. Scott, Sept. 17, 1898, Heimburger (1955). "... of the Parks," Hamilton (1943).

New York: Buckhorn St. Park, wet shore, Barbara Dintcheff, 12 Sept. 21, 1963 (BUF).

Aster sagittifolius Willd. ARROW-LEAVED ASTER, STARWORT. "Goat Island. Niagara (Macoun, on the authority of Dr. Maclagan)," Day (1888). Ontario, Queen Victoria Park, Panton (1890). Ontario, Niagara Park System, Cameron (1895). Ontario: Queenston Heights, John Macoun, Sept. 6, 1898; Niagara Falls, Wm. Scott, Oct. 3, 1896; Sept. 11, 1897; Niagara, W. J. Potter, 1908; R. R. Foster's Flats, Wm. Scott, Sept. 11, 1897, Heimburger (1955). "... of the Parks," Hamilton (1943). DeVeaux College woods, Eckel (1986). Crest of the Niagara River gorge between Devil's Hole and Whirlpool Steps, with Quercus rubra, Qu. alba, Tilia Americana, Carya glabra, C. ovalis, Eckel (Nov. 7 2004), the most abundant species of the genus in the Niagara River gorge, with Aster cordifolius.

New York: Niagara Gorge beyond the Whirlpool. Charles A. Zenkert Sept. 10, 1927 (BUF); old train bed, Niagara gorge, "abundant in shade with Solidago flexicaulis, Polymnia canadensis.," Eckel 991985 (BUF); Deveaux College woods, Eckel 122285 (BUF); wooded crest, Whirlpool State Park, Eckel, Sept. 11, 1987; base of Ongiara gorge, Eckel, Sept. 11, 1987 (BUF); Buckhorn Island, SW part of park, W of I90, near path along Niagara River from West River Parkway to Burntship Creek,. abundant throughout, with A. pilosus, A. novae-angliae, Eckel, Oct. 1, 1997 (BUF).

Ontario: : woods above Whirlpool Ravine, Eckel & Eckel, Oct. 10, 1987 (BUF); (Fort Erie) Miller's Creek, opposite Grand Island, outlet into the Niagara River. Disturbed, moist area facing the River. With Epipactis helleborine. P.M.Eckel c. R. Zander 8703234 Sept. 23, 1986 (BUF); Navy Island, central woods area, Quercus rubra, Q. palustris, Carya ovata, C. laciniosa, Eckel, Sept. 21, 1998 (BUF).

Masses of this flower can be seen in September in the talus slopes overlooking Artpark in Lewiston, New York, in natural woodlands, also along the crest of the Niagara River gorge between Devil's Hole State Park and Whirlpool State Park and upstream both along the crest and along paths at the gorge base in moist forest stations. Its white flowers contrast with the blue-purple flowers of Aster novae-angliae, A. oolentangensis and A. cordifolius, all in bloom at the same time.

Aster simplex Willd. TALL WHITE ASTER, STARWORT. (As A. paniculatus) "Goat Island. Near DeVeaux College," Day (1888). Ontario, Queen Victoria Park (as A. paniculatus Lam.) Panton (1890). Ontario, Niagara Park System (as A. paniculatus) Cameron (1895). Ontario: Roundhouse, Niagara Falls, Wm. Scott, Sept. 24, 1898, Heimburger (1955). (As A. paniculatus) "... of the Parks," Hamilton (1943). Crest of the Niagara River gorge between Devil's Hole and Whirlpool Steps, with Quercus rubra, Qu. alba, Tilia Americana, Carya glabra, C. ovalis, Eckel (Nov. 7 2004), infrequent here.

New York. Second of the Three Sisters Islands in the Niagara River just S of Goat Island. West end. P. M. Eckel 881021 Oct. 9, 1987 (BUF); upper train bed, Niagara gorge, disturbed soils along upper path, with Solidago canadensis, Artemisia vulgaris. Eckel & Zander 25485 Sept. 21, 1985 (BUF); Goat Island, Eckel, Sept. 30, 1988 (BUF); (as A. lanceolatus ) Buckhorn Island, SW part of park, W of I90, near path along Niagara River from West River Parkway to Burntship Creek, grassy road, Eckel, Oct. 1, 1997 (BUF).

Ontario: (as Aster paniculatus Lam.) City of Niagara Falls, Victoria Park, Oct. 1, 1898 (BUF).

Erie Co., City of Buffalo. Moist alluvial soil, along Niagara River. Frank W. Johnson 999 Sept. 22, 1923 (BUF).

A specimen from Goat Island (Eckel, Sept. 1, 1987, BUF) conforms to the discription of var. interior (Wieg.) Cron. in its tiny involucres. Its range begins in western New York and extends westward, according to Gleason and Cronquist (1963). The Aster tradescantii L. TRADESCANT'S ASTER for Goat Island of Sept. 19, 1877 (J. D. Hooker's American Journal) is here placed with Aster simplex var. interior following Britton and Brown (1952). The following reports may perhaps be placed here as well.

Aster tradescantii L. TRADESCANT'S ASTER. "Goat Island," Day (1888). Ont.:"... on cultivated ground at the School for Apprentice Gardeners," Hamilton (1943).

[New York?] "Niagara Falls" Collector unknown. Sept. 25, 1880 (BUF).

Morton and Venn (1990) cite this species in Ontario as "reject - ON reports = A. lateriflorus. (Aster tradescantii var. thyrsoides = A. ontarionis (Argus & White 1977): rare in Ontario. Goat Island (Day, Cat. Niag. Fl.) "Wiegand and Eames (Flora of Cayuga Lake Basin) state that they have been unsuccessful in their attempt to separate the smaller-headed forms of A. tradescanti from the larger-headed forms of A. paniculatus, the intermediate forms being as numerous as the extremes. On the other hand, House and Alexander (Fl. of Alleg. St. Pk.) report A. tradescanti as common, the latter being usually distinguished from A. paniculatus "by its much smaller flowers and more lax inflorescence." Zenkert (1934).

Aster umbellatus Mill. FLATTOP ASTER. "Goat Island. Near Clifton, Ontario," Day (1888). Ontario, Niagara Park System, Cameron (1895). Ontario: Roundhouse, Niagara Falls, Wm. Scott, Sept. 17, 1898; Queenston, Wm. Scott, Aug. 20, 1898; Niagara Falls, W. C. McCalla, Aug. 21, 1896, Heimburger (1955). "Goat Island," Zenkert (1934). "... of the Parks," Hamilton (1943). ). Ont.: "Whirlpool," sight record, Yaki (1970).

Ontario. Gorge of the Niagara River, north shore Whirlpool Basin. 3' high, flowers white. (A. umb. annot. Ian Macdonald) P. M. Eckel 880134 Aug. 30, 1987 (BUF).

Aster undulatus Mill. WAVEY-LEAVED ASTER. Goat Island, Sept. 19, 1877 (J.D. Hooker's American Journal). Ontario, Niagara Park System, Cameron (1895). Ontario, Queen Victoria Park, Panton (1890). "... of the Parks," Hamilton (1943).

Reported as rare in the Niagara Frontier Region by Zander and Pierce (1979) which has a range of sOnt, swNS. It is not rare in New York State (Mitchell 1986). Status: Rare in Canada. Rare in Minnesota, Argus & White (1977). The station in Ontario is "Based on a single specimen from Silver Hill, Norfolk Co." of 1950-1964 where "a labelling error is strongly suspected," (Argus & White, 1983).

[Aster vimineus Lam.] "Near Clifton, Ontario," Day (1888). Ontario, Queen Victoria Park, Panton (1890).

Range: swOnt. Status: Rare in Canada (Argus & White (1977) and New York State (Mitchell, 1986). Not listed for the Niagara Frontier flora by Zenkert in 1934 and excluded from the Niagara Frontier Region by Zander and Pierce (1979). Morton and Venn (1990) for Ontario equate this name with the common Aster lateriflorus. Mitchell (1986) reported that "the type specimen is apparently a garden hybrid, so this binomial [vimineus] will not stand for our native plants." It is listed on the Rare Plant Status List of the New York Natural Heritage Program (Young, 1992).

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