Aster Ericoides

''Symphyotrichum ericoides'' (formerly ''Aster ericoides''), known as white heath aster, frost aster, or heath aster, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to much of central and eastern North America. It has been introduced to parts of Europe and western Asia.

The naturally-occurring hybrid species of white heath aster and New England aster (''Symphyotrichum novae-angliae'') is named ''Symphyotrichum'' × ''amethystinum'' and is commonly known as amethyst aster. It can grow where the two parents are in close proximity.

Description

Heath aster is a perennial herbaceous plant with stems from tall. Its leaves are sessile (stalkless) and narrow, becoming smaller towards the top of the plant and tips of the branching stem. It has white (rarely pinkish), composite flowerheads with yellow centers that begin flowering in late summer and last through fall. They are across.

It is commonly confused with '' Symphyotrichum pilosum'', which co-occurs throughout most of its range. ''S. pilosum'' has larger flowerheads with longer ray petals. The phyllaries on ''S. pilosum'' are spine-tipped, while those of ''S. ericoides'' are not, although the curled edges may make them appear to be.

Taxonomy

Heath aster has two varieties: ''Symphyotrichum ericoides'' var. ''ericoides'', which spreads by underground rhizomes to form colonies, and ''S. ericoides'' var. ''pansum'' , which is cespitose, remaining in a clump, and has corm-like caudices.

F1 hybridization with ''Symphyotrichum novae-angliae'' can occur where the ranges of these two species overlap. The hybrid is called ''Symphyotrichum'' × ''amethystinum'' (amethyst aster) and is intermediate between the parent species in most respects.

File:Symphyotrichum ×amethystinum.jpg, alt=Photo of a hand holding three cuttings of asters, each approximately 45 centimeters (18 inches) tall. The flowers on the cuttings can be described as follows. On the far left is white heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides) which has about 80 white flower heads with light yellow centers. This plant has the smallest flower heads of the three. On the far right is New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), which has about 20 deep purple flower heads with deep yellow centers. This plant has the largest flower heads of the three. In the center is the hybrid amethyst aster (Symphyotrichum x amethystinum), which has about 85 lavender flowers heads with medium yellow centers. This plant has flower heads that are size and color intermediate between its two parents., ''S. × amethystinum'', center, is a hybrid between ''S. novae-angliae'', right, and ''S. ericoides'', left.

Distribution and habitat

''Symphyotrichum ericoides'' grows from Canada across much of the United States into the Mexican states of Coahuila and Nuevo León. The variety ''S. ericoides'' var. ''ericoides'' prefers open locations with sandy, gravelly, or disturbed soil.

Conservation

, NatureServe listed ''S. ericoides'' as Secure (G5) globally, last reviewed on 16 May 2016. On a US state and Canadian province and territory basis, it listed the species as Vulnerable (S3) in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia; Imperiled (S2) in Mississippi; Critically Imperiled (S1) in Georgia and Kentucky; Apparently Secure (S4) in Iowa, Manitoba, Maryland, and Northwest Territories; and, Secure (S5) in Alberta, British Columbia, Montana, New York, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. It is reported as an Exotic in Québec. The remaining states, territories, and provinces have not been ranked.

Uses

Medicinal

''Symphyotrichum ericoides'' has been used for medicinal purposes among indigenous people in North America. It has been documented that the Meskwaki have used the plant both to revive an unconscious person and in a sweatbath as an herbal steam.

Gardening

Cultivars of ''Symphyotrichum ericoides'' are planted in gardens. Plants sold in the horticultural trade labeled as ''Aster ericoides'', the old name of the plant, are usually cultivars or hybrids involving the species '' S. dumosum'', '' S. lateriflorum'', '' S. pilosum'' or '' S. racemosum'', a mistake that has occurred continuously since the 19th century.

The following are cultivars of ''S. ericoides'' that have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:
* 'Blue Star'
* 'Brimstone'
* 'Golden Spray'
* 'Pink Cloud'
* 'Ringdove'
* 'Snow Flurry' (of ''S. ericoides'' var. ''prostratum'')

Citations

References

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External links

Asteraea Lab - University of Waterloo''Symphyotrichum ericoides'' at Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, ''wildflower.org''

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q7160573, from2=Q21871614, from3=Q24691667, from4=Q24691668

ericoides
Flora of Canada
Flora of the United States
Flora of Coahuila
Flora of Nuevo León
Plants used in traditional Native American medicine
Plants described in 1753
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus