This Aster is on a woodsy hillside in southern Davidson County.
I think this is the Late Purple Aster (Aster patens).
The pink and white Aster is ‘Prince Calico’ (Aster lateriflorus) and grows in my garden in a partly sunny spot. I like to pinch it back, like a mum, to get some side shoots and let it bunch up.
And…a tulip poplar seed and leaf (Liriodendron tulipifera). Tulip poplar is a fast grower, and a tall one.
Fall leaf color is complicated..but is essentially brought to us by a lack of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll production slows down as nighttime lengthens..and the underlying carotenoids and anthocyanins are revealed. Leaf tissue is tender and could not survive freezing weather, as can the bark, twigs and stems. The veins leading into the leaves close off gradually in autumn and eventually the leaf is no longer connected to the twig.
Here’s a simple tutorial on fall leaf color and leaf drop, from the Forest Service:
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/pubs/leaves/leaves.shtm
