Crops Stokes aster (Stokesia laevis)

Plant in spring

Stokes aster is a perennial plant, native to some Southern states of the USA. The seeds contain up to 40 percent oil, of which about 75 percent is in the form of the epoxy fatty acid, vernolic acid: this can be used in the manufacture of plastics, varnishes and adhesives ('superglue'). The plant is low-growing, with dark green pointed leaves; sometimes the stems and leaf veins are tinged with purple.

The flowers, which open from July, have many narrow light blue or lilac petals. Potential yields of the order of 2 t seed per ha have been suggested from limited work in the USA, with a possible productive lifespan of 5 years or more from established crops, but germination and subsequent growth are often very slow. Little work is being undertaken on this species at present.

This entry forms part of the publication Crops for Industry and Energy in Europe

References:

Perry, F (1972) Flowers of the World. London: Hamlyn Press.

Siegler, D S (Ed) (1977) Crop Resources. New York: Academic Press.

Industrial Crops and Products. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science B V