Symphyotrichum dumosum, known as the Bushy Aster or the Rice Button Aster, is an erect herbaceous perennial with narrow, alternate leaves, forming loose, wiry clumps of branching stems and compact stalks of small bluish, lavender, or whitish daisy-like flowers with yellowish to reddish centers in clusters at the tips of stems. The plant grows up to 4' tall with underground runners and blooms from summer through fall.
Bushy aster grows from root divisions or seeds. Spreading by rhizomes, it can be weedy in gardens. Plant in moist, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade.
The plant is common in the wild, found in pinelands, open woodlands, roadsides, wet ditches, weed lots and other disturbed sites throughout the state.
Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds, it is the larval host plant for the Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos).
References:
ISB Atlas of Vascular Plants map: http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/maps.asp?plantID=3675
Pearl Crescent: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1741&chosen_state=12*Florida