Symphyotrichum prenanthoides
| Symphyotrichum prenanthoides | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Symphyotrichum |
| Species: | S. prenanthoides
|
| Binomial name | |
| Symphyotrichum prenanthoides | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Aster prenanthoides | |
Symphyotrichum prenanthoides is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name crookedstem aster.[1] It is native to eastern North America, where it occurs in eastern Canada and the eastern United States.[2]
This rhizomatous perennial herb produces colonies of plants with stems that may exceed one meter in length. They grow upright to erect and may be crooked or nearly straight. They are often thick and purple in color with age. The leaves vary in size and shape. The flower heads are borne in branching arrays on purplish stems. The ray florets are lavender or blue in color, or sometimes white. There are up to 30 ray florets measuring up to 1.5 centimeters in length. At the center are disc florets in shades of cream and yellow to purple or brown.[3]
This plant grows in many types of habitat including woody and marshy areas, as well as roadsides.[3]
Conservation status in the United States
It is special concern species in Connecticut, where it is believed to be extirpated.[4]
Native American ethnobotany
The Iroquois used this plant medicinally to treat fevers in babies and other ailments.[5]
References
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Symphyotrichum prenanthoides". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ Symphyotrichum prenanthoides. NatureServe.
- ^ a b Brouillet, Luc; Semple, John C.; Allen, Geraldine A.; Chambers, Kenton L.; Sundberg, Scott D. (2006). "Symphyotrichum prenanthoides". 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 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
- ^ "Connecticut's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species 2015". State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2 January 2017. (Note: This list is newer than the one used by plants.usda.gov and is more up-to-date.)
- ^ Symphyotrichum prenanthoides. University of Michigan Ethnobotany.