Symphyotrichum concolor

Symphyotrichum concolor (formerly Aster concolor) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae with the common name eastern silvery aster. It is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach 30 to 80 centimeters (12 to 31 inches) in height. Leaves are a grayish-green and have a silky look and feel. The flowers have 8–12 rose-purple, rarely white, ray florets, and pink then purple disk florets. It is native to the Atlantic coastal plain and Piedmont areas of the eastern United States, as well as the Bahamas.

Symphyotrichum concolor
Southwest Florida
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Astereae
Subtribe:	Symphyotrichinae
Genus:	Symphyotrichum
Subgenus:	Symphyotrichum subg. Virgulus
Species:	S. concolor
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum concolor (L.) G.L.Nesom
Varieties
S. concolor var. concolor S. concolor var. devestitum (S.F.Blake) Semple
Native distribution
Synonyms
Basionym Aster concolor L. Others Lasallea concolor (L.) Semple & Brouillet Virgulus concolor (L.) Reveal & Keener Variety synonyms var. concolor Aster concolor f. lasiocaulis Fernald Aster concolor var. simulatus (Small) R.W.Long Aster simulatus Small Virgaria concolor Raf. ex DC. var. devestitum Aster concolor var. devestitus S.F.Blake Symphyotrichum concolor subsp. devestitum (S.F.Blake) A.Haines

Description

Symphyotrichum concolor is a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant that may reach 30 to 80 centimeters (12 to 31 inches) in height. Leaves are a grayish-green and have a silky look and feel. The flowers have 8–12 rose-purple, rarely white, ray florets, and pink then purple disk florets.

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to the Atlantic coastal plain and Piedmont areas of the eastern United States, as well as the Bahamas. It has been found in scrub, flatwoods, fields, and on roadsides at elevations up to 600 meters (1,970 feet).

Conservation

As of October 2024, NatureServe lists Symphyotrichum concolor as Secure (G5) worldwide with notation that the global status was last reviewed in 2021. Some North American province and state statuses are as follows: Possibly Extirpated (SH) in Delaware, and Critically Imperiled (S1) in Maryland and New York.

References

• Brouillet, L.; Semple, J.C.; Allen, G.A.; Chambers, K.L.; Sundberg, S.D. (2006). "Symphyotrichum concolor". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). Vol. 20. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved 8 July 2021 – via eFloras.
• NatureServe (4 October 2024). "Symphyotrichum concolor Eastern Silvery Aster". explorer.natureserve.org. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
• POWO (2024). "Symphyotrichum concolor (L.) G.L.Nesom". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 25 October 2024.