USDA and ITIS lists three varieties of which two are found in SC
var. gracile: found from TX throughout SE US: Plants slender; involucres 5.5–6.5 mm; mid phyllaries 0.7–1 mm, faces densely strigillose, sparsely stipitate-glandular; Alabama to Texas, n to Kansas
var. patens: found from TX to SE up to ME: Plants robust; involucres 6–7.5 mm; mid phyllaries 1–1.2 mm, faces densely glandular and sparsely strigillose; mostly e of Mississippi River
var. patentissimum: found from TX up to IL
Note: 2-4 ft plant common throughout South Carolina and often found growing along roadsides and ditches. Multiple stems so plant may be nearly as wide as tall. Elliptical dark green leaves ~1 inch that are smaller towards top of plant. Deep lavender petals with bright yellow central disk.
Georgia Aster is rare and has purple central disk. S. laeve is similar but usually found in better soils and not near McCormick County.
