Analysis of the Late Purple Aster

The many features of the plant species, Aster prenanthoides, were investigated in grassland at York University’s Keele campus. A transect tape was used to measure a distance of 20 metres where the Late Purple Aster was abundant. The researcher then walked in a straight line along this 20 metre distance, and noted the characteristics of every individual Late Purple Aster that was encountered. A sample size of 20 different Late Purple Asters were identified based on five factors. The first criterion was the distance on the transect tape each individual Late Purple Aster was found, and was noted in metres. Secondly, the height of the Aster prenanthoides was investigated using a second transect tape, and noted in centimetres from the ground to the top of the flower. The number of leaves was also individually counted by the researcher, along with the number of flowers present. The last characteristic was based on the level of crowding, and had four different criteria. The number 0 indicated that the individual Aster prenanthoides was found in an open area, distant from any other plants. The number 1 indicated that the individual Late Purple Aster had some plants surrounding it. On the other hand, the number 2 suggested that there were quite a few plants surrounding the Late Purple Aster being observed. Finally, the number 3 indicated that the Late Purple Aster was found within a crowded bunch of plants within 50cm.