Symphyotrichum anomalum (formerly Aster anomalus) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Commonly known as manyray aster, it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach 20 to 120 centimeters (3⁄4 to 4 feet) tall. Its flowers have lavender or blue to purple, seldom white, ray florets and cream or light yellow, then pinkish-purple disk florets.[3] Its flowers are attractive to butterflies. The lower leaves have untoothed margins and are heart-shaped at the base.[4]

| Symphyotrichum anomalum | |
|---|---|
Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Astereae |
| Subtribe: | Symphyotrichinae |
| Genus: | Symphyotrichum |
| Subgenus: | Symphyotrichum subg. Symphyotrichum |
| Section: | Symphyotrichum sect. Symphyotrichum |
| Species: | S. anomalum |
| Binomial name | |
| Symphyotrichum anomalum | |
| Native distribution[3] | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Symphyotrichum anomalum |
|
| Aster anomalus |
|