Symphyotrichum frondosum (formerly Aster frondosus) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to western North America. Commonly known as short-rayed alkali aster,[4] it is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant that may reach 140 centimeters (55 inches) tall.
| Symphyotrichum frondosum | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Tribe: | Astereae |
| Subtribe: | Symphyotrichinae |
| Genus: | Symphyotrichum |
| Subgenus: | Symphyotrichum subg. Symphyotrichum |
| Section: | Symphyotrichum sect. Conyzopsis |
| Species: | S. frondosum
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| Binomial name | |
| Symphyotrichum frondosum | |
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| Native distribution[3] | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Basionym
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Description
editSymphyotrichum frondosum is an annual or occasionally perennial herbaceous, flowering plant growing a leaning or erect stem to a maximum height of 5–140 centimeters (2–55 inches). The leaves are a few centimeters long and oval in shape with rounded tips. The stem and leaves are mostly hairless.[3]
The inflorescence is a small array of flower heads containing many short pale pink or lavender ray florets and yellow disc florets. The fruit is a hairy cypsela with white to yellow-tinted pappi.[3]
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Symphyotrichum frondosum -
Symphyotrichum frondosum -
Symphyotrichum frondosum
Distribution and habitat
editIt is native to North America in the west from British Columbia, south to Baja California (Mexico), east to New Mexico, and north to Wyoming and Idaho. Symphyotrichum frondosum grows in wet habitats such as marshes and meadows, especially in alkaline or saline conditions.[3]
Conservation
editCitations
edit- ^ NatureServe 2021.
- ^ a b POWO 2019.
- ^ a b c d Brouillet et al. 2006.
- ^ USDA, NRCS 2014.
References
edit- Brouillet, L.; Semple, J.C.; Allen, G.A.; Chambers, K.L.; Sundberg, S.D. (2006). "Symphyotrichum frondosum". 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 4 July 2021 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
- NatureServe (2 July 2021). "Symphyotrichum frondosum Alkali Aster". explorer.natureserve.org. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- POWO (2019). "Symphyotrichum frondosum (Nutt.) G.L.Nesom". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- USDA, NRCS (2014). "Symphyotrichum frondosum". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 6 December 2015.