Symphyotrichum praealtum

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Symphyotrichum praealtum
Symphyotrichum praealtum 53978817.jpg

Secure (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Symphyotrichum
Subgenus: Symphyotrichum subg. Symphyotrichum
Section: Symphyotrichum sect. Symphyotrichum
Species:
S. praealtum
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum praealtum
Symphyotrichum praealtum native distribution map: Canada — Ontario; Mexico — Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo León; US — Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.[3]
Native distribution
Synonyms[2]

Basionym

  • Aster praealtus Poir.
Alphabetical list

Symphyotrichum praealtum (formerly Aster praealtus), known as willowleaf aster and willow aster, is a species of flowering plant in the aster family Asteraceae. It is native to North America and introduced in Europe.[3]

Description[]

Underside of S. praealtum leaf, showing reticulate venation

Symphyotrichum praealtum is a perennial, herbaceous plant with long rhizomes.[3] The thick, firm leaves have conspicuous reticulate venation below.[4] Flowering occurs from August to November,[5] by which time the lower leaves are often withered. The dense arrays of flower heads are present on the upper, branched portion of the stem. The ray florets are pale violet or lavender and the disc florets are cream or pale yellow.[3]

S. praealtum view showing "willow" leaves.

Taxonomy[]

Symphyotrichum praealtum was formerly included in the large genus Aster as Aster praealtus. However, this broad circumscription of Aster is polyphyletic and the North American asters are now mostly classified in Symphyotrichum and several other genera.[6]

Several varieties of Symphyotrichum praealtum have been recognised, but not consistently. Hybridisation with Symphyotrichum lanceolatum and Symphyotrichum firmum has been reported.[3]

Distribution and habitat[]

Willowleaf aster is native to much of the eastern and central United States, to the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon, and to the extreme southern portion of Ontario, Canada. It has been introduced to central Europe.[3]

Symphyotrichum praealtum is found in moist, open habitats including wet prairies and meadows, shores, oak savannahs, ditches, and roadsides.[3] Periodic disturbance, such as wildfire, drought, or human clearing, is required to maintain open habitats suitable for the species.[5]

Ecology[]

Great golden digger wasp on S. praealtum flower

Symphyotrichum praealtum spreads via rhizomes to form large clonal colonies. The species does not self-pollinate; cross-pollination with a genetically distinct plant is required for the production of seeds. The seeds are wind-dispersed. In some areas, this species may be the latest-flowering plant, and this may limit the number of insects available to serve as pollinators.[5]

Conservation[]

Willowleaf aster is considered globally secure.[1] However, it is legally listed as endangered in New Jersey and threatened in Ontario. In Ontario it is threatened by habitat loss, invasive species, and a reduction or elimination of natural wildfire. There are under 15 populations known to remain in the province, most of which are within the city of Windsor. To protect these populations, tens of thousands of willowleaf aster plants were moved out of construction areas and replanted elsewhere during construction of the Rt. Hon. Herb Gray Parkway.[5]

Citations[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b NatureServe 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b POWO 2019.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Brouillet et al. 2006.
  4. ^ Reznicek, Voss & Walters 2011.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Jones 2013.
  6. ^ Semple 2021.

References[]

  • Brouillet, L.; Semple, J.C.; ; ; (2006). "Symphyotrichum praealtum". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). 20. New York and Oxford. Retrieved 29 September 2018 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  • Jones, J. (2013). "Recovery strategy for the Willowleaf Aster (Symphyotrichum praealtum) in Ontario". Ontario Recovery Strategy Series. Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario. pp. vi + 29. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  • NatureServe (2 July 2021). "Symphyotrichum praeltum - Willow Aster". NatureServe Explorer (explorer.natureserve.org). NatureServe. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  • POWO (2019). "Symphyotrichum praealtum". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  • Reznicek, A. A.; Voss, E. G.; Walters, B. S., eds. (February 2011). "Symphyotrichum praealtum". Michigan Flora Online. University of Michigan Herbarium. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  • Semple, J.C. (27 April 2021). "An overview of "asters" and the Tribe Astereae". University of Waterloo (UWaterloo.ca). Waterloo, Ontario: University of Waterloo. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
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