Aster macrophyllus; underground root structures and systems.

Abstract

Over the past few weeks I have been studying the underground structure of Aster macrophyllus, a perennial herb in the Compositae family. Aster macrophyllus is rhizomatous, meaning it spreads (vegetatively) via an underground stem. This stem or rhizome periodically sends up meristematic shoots. Though the plant does reproduce sexually, this happens far less frequently than does vegetative reproduction.