Symphyotrichum ciliolatum

Symphyotrichum ciliolatum (formerly Aster ciliolatus), commonly known as Lindley's aster and fringed blue aster, is a perennial herb native to Canada and the northern United States. It is also known as ciliolate wood aster and northern heart-leaved aster.^[3][4] The common name Lindley's aster honours John Lindley who first described the species in 1834.^[5]

Symphyotrichum ciliolatum
In Ontario, Canada
Conservation status
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. ciliolatum
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum ciliolatum (Lindl.) Á.Löve & D.Löve[2]
Native distribution[2]
Synonyms[2]
Basionym Aster ciliolatus Lindl. Alphabetical list Aster ciliolatus var. borealis (J.Rousseau) Dutilly & Lepage Aster ciliolatus f. comatus Fernald Aster ciliolatus var. comatus (Fernald) A.G.Jones Aster ciliolatus var. wilsonii (Rydb.) A.G.Jones Aster lindleyanus Torr. & A.Gray Aster lindleyanus var. borealis J.Rousseau Aster lindleyanus var. ciliolatus (Lindl.) A.Gray Aster lindleyanus var. comatus Fernald Aster lindleyanus var. eximius E.S.Burgess Aster praecox Lindl. Aster saundersii E.S.Burgess Aster wilsonii Rydb. Symphyotrichum ciliolatum var. comatum (Fernald) G.L.Nesom Symphyotrichum ciliolatum var. wilsonii (Rydb.) G.L.Nesom

Description

Symphyotrichum ciliolatum can reach heights of up to 1.2 metres (3 feet 11 inches) and can spread via long rhizomes. The leaves are typically heart-shaped with winged petioles. Flowering occurs between late July and October. The ray florets are blue or bluish purple, and the disc florets are yellow, becoming reddish purple with maturity.^[5]

• 
  Leaf of S. ciliolatum
• 
  Flowering in Ontario, Canada

Taxonomy

Hybrids with Symphyotrichum laeve, Symphyotrichum novi-belgii (named Symphyotrichum x subgeminatum),^[5] and possibly Symphyotrichum lanceolatum have been recorded.^[4]

Distribution and habitat

Symphyotrichum ciliolatum grows in open forests, forest edges, thickets and along streams, trails, and roadsides. It occurs across Canada from Yukon to Newfoundland, and in the northern United States from Montana to New York.^[5]