Symphyotrichum ciliatum, commonly known as Rayless Annual Aster or Rayless Alkali Aster, is an annual herbaceous plant native to prairies, meadows, and disturbed sites across North America and parts of eastern Eurasia. It can grow over 70 centimeters (2 feet 4 inches) tall and is characterized by its flower heads, which consist of many whitish to pink disk florets without ray florets, giving it the "rayless" descriptor. The flowering season typically occurs in late summer to fall, and although the flowers are not showy in the traditional sense, they add a unique texture to garden settings.

Rayless Annual Aster is appreciated for its adaptability to various garden conditions and its ability to thrive in part shade to full sun. It requires medium to high amounts of water and can tolerate soils with slow to medium drainage. This plant is often used in wildflower gardens, as a border plant, or for naturalized areas. It is also valued for its late-season blooms, which provide interest after many other flowers have faded. While generally easy to maintain, it can be susceptible to powdery mildew and rust diseases under certain conditions. Gardeners should be aware that it may self-seed and spread, which can be desirable for naturalistic plantings but may require management in more formal settings.CC BY-SA 4.0