Symphyotrichum sericeum
Symphyotrichum sericeum (formerly Aster sericeus) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to central North America. Commonly known as western silver aster,[3] western silvery aster,[4] and silky aster,[5] it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach 70 centimeters (2+1⁄4 feet) tall. Its flowers have purple ray florets and pink then purple disk florets, and its leaves are firm and silvery-green.[4]
| Symphyotrichum sericeum | |
|---|---|
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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. sericeum |
| Binomial name | |
| Symphyotrichum sericeum | |
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| Native distribution[2] | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Basionym
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Description
Symphyotrichum sericeum is a perennial herb growing from rhizomes. Leaf texture is sericeous, giving the leaves a silvery-green appearance. The inflorescences are erect and parallel, and the involucral bracts of the flower heads are ovate to lanceolate in shape and sericeous. The flowers have purple ray florets and pink then purple disk florets. The fruit is a cypsela.[4]
Symphyotrichum sericeum leaves close-up
Symphyotrichum sericeum inflorescence
Conservation
As of July 2021, NatureServe listed Symphyotrichum sericeum as Secure (G5) worldwide, last reviewed in 2002, with state and province statuses as follows: Critically Imperiled (S1) in Ontario and Oklahoma; and, Imperiled (S2) in Manitoba, North Dakota, Michigan, Indiana, and Arkansas.[1]
Citations
References
- Brouillet, L.; Semple, J.C.; Allen, G.A.; Chambers, K.L.; Sundberg, S.D. (2006). "Symphyotrichum sericeum". 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 15 July 2021 – via eFloras.
- Missouri Botanical Garden (n.d.). "Symphyotrichum sericeum - Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. St. Louis. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- NatureServe (2 July 2021). "Symphyotrichum sericeum Western Silvery Aster". explorer.natureserve.org. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- POWO (2019). "Symphyotrichum sericeum (Vent.) G.L.Nesom". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- USDA, NRCS (2014). "Symphyotrichum sericeum". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 15 July 2021.