Bloomipedia
Large-leaved aster (Eurybia macrophylla)
Photo: Charlie Pavlisich via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Large-leaved aster

Eurybia macrophylla

Large-leaved aster (Eurybia macrophylla) is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly August–September across the U.S.

Native to Minnesota

Large-leaved aster is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Minnesota it's most often seen in bloom in July–September.

25states where USDA records it
2,255MN sightings*
6,128U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Minnesota

Quick look

Eurybia macrophylla, commonly known as the bigleaf aster, large-leaved aster, largeleaf aster or bigleaf wood aster, is an herbaceous perennial in the family Asteraceae that was formerly treated in the genus Aster.

  • It belongs to the Asteraceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 25 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Minnesota. NatureServe
  • In Minnesota, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in July–September. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late summer. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 4.6 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 2,255 research-grade sightings of it in Minnesota, ranking #53 among the 152 flowers on our Minnesota list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Minnesota, most flowering sightings come in July–September.

Flowering records by month in Minnesota (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (799 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Minnesota
Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Minnesota. Minn. R. 6134.0300
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: AR (SH), IA (S1), MO (S2), RI (S1), SC (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleEdible (per NC State Extension)

NC State Extension notes: “Tender, young leaves may be cooked and eaten as greens.” NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records large-leaved aster in 25 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

Minnesota counties with USDA records: Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Fillmore, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Morrison, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha, Washington, Winona, Wright.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Large-leaved aster a low shade tolerance, low drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 4.9 to 6.9 and winter lows down to -28 °F.

Shade tolerance
Low
Drought tolerance
Low
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
medium, fine
Soil pH range
4.9 to 6.9
Minimum temperature tolerated
-28 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
90
Annual precipitation range
35 to 55 inches
Minimum root depth
10 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Medium
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
Long
Active growth period
Spring, Summer, Fall
Fruit or seed
Brown · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, seed, sprigs
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for EUMA27. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Aster ianthinus, Aster macrophyllus, Aster multiformis, Aster nobilis, Aster riciniatus, Aster roscidus, Aster violaris.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 519 counties across 21 states; the most are in Michigan (74), Pennsylvania (62), Wisconsin (53).

Other Eurybia on Bloomipedia (2): White wood aster, Siberian aster.

More from the Asteraceae family (212 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Common yarrow, Goldenrods, White snakeroot, Sunflowers, Chicory, Black-eyed Susan, Bull thistle, Common dandelion.

More Minnesota flowers

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Sources