aster ?

Hi,

Trying to sort the asters out...is this an aster? It is common here (small patch of Appalachian mtns/ N. VA wood) and all the plants seem to have the reddish leaves in common.

Edited to add: the stem is pubescent.

Thanks!

 

This could very well be a Solidago.

 

I was hoping it wasn't Solidago....this little patch has so many Solidago species but I have identified (I think correctly) only 4 of them...any guess as to which this might be? It is not aromatic...so not S. odora, S. rugosa and not S. juncea.

Adding another pic (plant right in front) that shows "branching"...somewhat unusual for Solidago so I'm hoping that it will make it easier to id?

 

Leaning towards Symphyotrichum lanceolatum...I thought sessile leaves=Solidago but apparently this aster can also have sessile/clasping leaves....guess I will wait 'til it flowers.

 

Ah, yes, the branching helps push away a tentative ID from Solidago. But, as you suggest, let's wait for inflorescences.