John C. Semple WAT

Symphyotrichum Nees

Symphyotrichoid Asters in the restricted sense

Symphyotrichum in the narrow sense includes all the many x=8, 7, 6, 5 and 4 species of asters native to North America (Semple et al. 2002). Several species are naturalized in Europe (S. lanceolatum, S. novi-belgii). Neither of these has glandular phyllaries. Species are distinguished on the basis of differences in habit, leaf shape and bases, involucre size, phyllary shape and chlorophyllous zone pattern, and fruit traits.

Summary of the classification of Symphyotrichum s.s.

Chapman's Aster (x =7 basal species)

Symphyotrichum/Punicei Group (typical symphyotrichoid and puniceoid x=8 asters)

Foliacei Group (western x=8 symphyotrichoid asters)

Dumosi Asters (dumosum like x=8 symphyotrichoid asters)

Heterophylli Asters (heart-leaved x=8 symphyotrichoid asters)

Porteriani Asters (old field symphyotrichoid asters)

Turbinate Asters (x=48, turbinate symphyotrichoid aster)

Conyzopsoid Asters (x=7 salt flat symphyotrichoid asters)

Astropolium Asters (x=5 salt marsh oxytripolioid asters)

Virguloid Asters (x =5, mostly cormoid symphyotrichoid asters)

Allopolyploid Ascendentes Asters (x=13, 21, western Foliacei-like asters)