Symphyotrichum georgianum

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Symphyotrichum georgianum
Symphyotrichum georgianum, Georgia aster, earlier bloom.JPG
Flower heads

Vulnerable (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Symphyotrichum
Subgenus: Symphyotrichum subg. Virgulus
Species:
S. georgianum
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum georgianum
Synonyms[2]
  • Aster georgianus Alexander ex Small
  • Aster patens var. georgianus (Alexander) Cronquist
  • Virgulus georgianus (Small) Semple
  • Virgulus patens var. georgianus (Small) Reveal &

Symphyotrichum georgianum (formerly Aster georgianus) is a rare species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae, the aster family. Its common name is Georgia aster.[3] It is native to the southeastern United States where it is known from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.[4] As of 2013, it may be extirpated from the state of Florida.[5]

Georgia aster is a robust rhizomatous perennial herb producing colonies of woody stems up to 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) tall. The thick, dark green leaves are up to 7 centimeters (2+3⁄4 inches) long by 2 cm (4⁄5 in) wide. They are oblong to lance-shaped with smooth or serrated margins. The flower heads are borne on rough-haired peduncles. The bracts are linear to lance-shaped.[4] The stems, leaves, and some parts of the flower heads are covered with tiny glands on tiny stalks called "stipitate glands". The flower heads are relatively large, up to 5–6 cm (2–2+3⁄8 in) across. Each ray floret is up to 2 cm (4⁄5 in) long and purple, described as "dark purple"[5] to "lavender violet to dark reddish purple". The disc florets at the center are white to purplish.[4]

Symphyotrichum georgianum blooms in October and November[5] and grows in oak-pine woodlands.[4][5] The local region was once covered in a post oak-savanna, and this species was a member of this ecosystem. This type of plant community depends on natural disturbance, such as wildfire, now largely destroyed or degraded by fire suppression and the removal of certain large grazing mammals.[1][5] Georgia aster is therefore a relict species of this historic ecosystem and grows in remaining woodlands.[5]

Threats to the survival of the species include elimination of habitat disturbance such as fire, road construction, and herbicide application. As of 2013, only 146 populations were estimated to remain.[5]

Gallery[]

  • Leaf and stem node

  • Involucre showing phyllaries and stipitate glands

  • Before pollination

  • After pollination

Citations[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b NatureServe 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b POWO 2019.
  3. ^ USDA, NRCS 2014.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Brouillet et al. 2006.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g USFWS 2013.

References[]

  • Brouillet, L.; Semple, J.C.; ; ; (2006). "Symphyotrichum georgianum". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). 20. New York and Oxford. Retrieved 1 July 2021 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  • NatureServe (4 June 2021). "Symphyotrichum georgianum Georgia Aster". NatureServe Explorer (explorer.natureserve.org). Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  • POWO (2019). "Symphyotrichum georgianum (Alexander) G.L.Nesom". Plants of the World Online (powo.science.kew.org). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  • USDA, NRCS (2014). "Symphyotrichum georgianum". USDA PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  • USFWS (2013). "USFWS Species Assessment and Listing Priority Assignment Form" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
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