arrowleaf aster, Symphyotrichum urophyllum

This is not a typical arrowleaf aster. That species, formerly S. sagittifolius, has showy wands of flowers with a tall narrow shape more like a goldenrod. The heads have white ray flowers like this. But the centers are often more yellow. Those tubular center flowers typically turn purple as they age. In most instances the inflorescence will include flowers at all stages of color. This individual seemed to lack the darker pigments. Arrowleaf grows in openings in AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV, and ON. Lenawee Co MI, 9/17/12.