ASTER SOLIDAGINEUS Michx.

Narrow-leaved Aster

 

FAMILY: Compositae (Asteraceae)

SYNONYM: Sericocarpus linifolius (L.) BSP.

HABIT: Perennial herb to 6 dm.; flowering June-September; fruiting August-October.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Aster solidagineus can generally be distinguished from other species of Aster by its sessile, linear, entire leaves and few-rayed (3-6) heads.

TOTAL RANGE: S. NH to s. IN, s. to GA, AL, MS, and LA.

STATE RANGE: There are extant populations in Jackson, Pike, and Scioto counties. There is a pre-1960 record from Adams County.

STATE STATUS: 1980 to present: Threatened.

HABITAT: Dry, open to semi-open situations: upland woods, thickets, and clearings.

HAZARDS: Overshading by woody species as a result of succession.

RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Unknown, but possibly good. It appears able to colonize disturbed habitats.

INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Mature flowering material is needed for positive identification.

COMMENTS: Among Ohio asters, this species is relatively easy to identify.  However, it may be overlooked due to its non-descript appearance. In general terms, though, its state range probably is accurately known.

Some authors segregate this and a related species into the separate genus Sericocarpus (see Synonym). However, most recent authors do not follow this treatment.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

 

Cronquist, A. 1980. Vascular flora of the southeastern United States. Vol. I. Asteraceae. Univ. of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC. xv + 261 p.

 

Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Created: 1/1983 James Burns

Database Code: SPNX.C14