Putnam Park Wildflowers


Flower ID: IMG_1298.JPG-10-02-2018
Flower name (scientific): Symphyotrichum ericoides (Linnaeus) G. L. Nesom PY: 1995. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum (or sim-fy-oh-TREE-kum or sim-fe-o-TRIK-um) er-ik-OY-dees
Flower name (common): Heath Aster
Family name (common): Aster
Family name (scientific): Asteraceae
Scientific name origin:
     Genus: From the Greek symphysis for junction or growing together, and trichos for hair. The structural reference is uncertain, possibly alluding to a perceived basal connation of bristles in the type specimen.
    Specific epithet: Of heaths, heath-like.
Common name origin: For the typical habitat. Aster from the Greek for star, for the showy radiated flowers.
Flower description:
     Size: 0.3 to 1.0 inches (0.8 to 2.5 cm)
     Petal count: 23, ray florets 8 to 20, disc florets 6 to 20.
     Color: white
     Other: flower arrangement, Panicle
Plant description:
     Size: 6 to 36 inches (15 to 91 cm)
     Stem hairy:
     Other:
Leaf description: attachment is basal and alternate, type is simple
     Size: Basal leaves up to 5 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. Proximal cauline leaves up to 4 to 6 cm long and 4 to 7 mm wide. Upper stem leaves up to 4 cm long and up to 3.5 mm wide.
     Color:
     Hairy:
     Other: Shape: leaf, (basal) oblanceolate to oblong or spatulate, (proximal cauline) linear to lanceolate or oblong, (distal) oblong-ovate (FNA)
Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Native
Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common
Bloom time (typical): August to October
Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial
Habitat: Woods, prairies, meadows, savannas, bluffs, disturbed areas, roadsides, sun or semi-shade, dry to mesic.
Fruit:
Seed:
Importance to wildlife:
Similar species (if any): S. drummondii (Drummond's Aster), S. falcatum (Western Heath Aster, White Prairie Aster), S. firmum (Smooth Swamp Aster), S. lanceolatum (Panicled Aster), and S. subulatum (Saltmarsh Aster) can resemble Symphyotrichum ericoides. For a guide to sorting out the Symphyotrichum species click here. For some further tabulated data that may aid in sorting out the Symphyotrichum species click here.
Ethnobotany:
Latitude: 44.798025
Longitude: -91.482167
Altitude: 241.80
Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Barron, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map
In US: (AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map
In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NT, ON, QC, SK) Click here for distribution map
References:
Synonym(s):
Basionym: Aster ericoides Linnaeus Sp. Pl. 2: 875 (1753).
Homotypic Synonym(s):
Heterotypic Synonym(s):
Autonym: Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides (The other infraspecific is Symphyotrichum ericoides var. pansum (S. F. Blake) G. L. Nesom which is reported from numerous US states and most of Canada.)
Wetland Status (NC): FACU
Wetland Status (MW): FACU