Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (L.) G L Nesom. (formerly Aster novae-angliae L.), commonly known as the New England aster, hairy Michaelmas-daisy[3] or Michaelmas daisy, is a flowering herbaceous perennial plant in the Asteraceae family. It is native to almost every area in North America east of the Rocky Mountains, but excluding the far north of Canada as well as some of the southern United States.

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae was introduced to Europe in 1710; a common garden escape, it has naturalized along roadsides and on disturbed ground.

The plant grows up to 120 cm (47 in) with a stout, hairy stem and clasping, lance-shaped leaves with entire margins. The flower heads are showy with yellow disc florets at the center and ray florets that range from a deep purple or rose to rarely white.

This species inhabits a wide variety of habitats and soil types, though it does not tolerate strong shade.

The Cherokee use a poultice of the roots for pain, an infusion of the roots for diarrhea, and sniff the ooze from the roots for catarrh. They also take an infusion of the plant for fever. The Chippewa smoke the roots in pipes to attract game. The Iroquois use a decoction of the plant for weak skin, a decoction of the roots and leaves for fevers, the plant as a “love medicine”, and an infusion of whole plant and rhizomes from another plant to treat mothers with intestinal fevers. The Meskwaki smudge the plant and use it to revive unconscious people, and the Prairie Potawatomi use it as a fumigating reviver.

Via earth.com