Symphyotrichum anomalum

Symphyotrichum anomalum (formerly Aster anomalus) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. With the common name of manyray aster, it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach 20 to 120 centimeters (3⁄4 to 4 feet) tall. Its flowers, which are attractive to butterflies, have lavender or blue to purple, seldom white, ray florets and cream or light yellow, then pinkish-purple disk florets.

Symphyotrichum anomalum
Conservation status
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
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. Symphyotrichum
Section:	Symphyotrichum sect. Symphyotrichum
Species:	S. anomalum
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum anomalum (Engelm.) G.L.Nesom[2]
Native distribution[3]
Synonyms[2]
Aster anomalus Engelm. Aster anomalus f. albidus Steyerm.

Description

View of involucres and phyllaries

S. anomalum has lower leaves with untoothed margins that are heart-shaped at the base.^[4] It is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach 20 to 120 centimeters (3⁄4 to 4 feet) tall.^[3] Its flowers, which are attractive to butterflies,^[4] have lavender or blue to purple, seldom white, ray florets and cream or light yellow, then pinkish-purple disk florets.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

Symphyotrichum anomalum is native to Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. It can be found in dry soils over limestone and in acid soils at elevations between 50 and 500 meters (160 and 1,640 feet).^[3]

Conservation

As of October 2024^[update], NatureServe listed S. anomalum as Apparently Secure (G4) worldwide. This status was last reviewed on 2 May 1988. It is Critically Imperiled (S1) in Kansas.^[1]