New England Aster

In early October I found an outstanding aster growing near Lorneville.  I brought a piece home and keyed it out.  It was New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) and it was the most impressive aster I have ever seen.  Its blooms were very large [5 cm (2 inches) across] and a deep purple colour.  It was attracting many bees with its showy inflorescence.  Its leaves were lanceolate and clasping the stem.  It was about 1 metre (3 ft) high and was growing in a gravelly area beside a road.  There were only 2 or 3 plants in that area.