Symphyotrichum frondosum

Symphyotrichum frondosum (formerly Aster frondosus) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to western North America. Commonly known as short-rayed alkali aster,^[4] it is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant that may reach 140 centimeters (55 inches) tall.

Symphyotrichum frondosum
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. Conyzopsis
Species:	S. frondosum
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum frondosum (Nutt.) G.L.Nesom[2]
Native distribution[3]
Synonyms[2]
Basionym Tripolium frondosum Nutt. Alphabetical list Aster frondosus Torr. & A.Gray Aster woodhousei Wooton Brachyactis ciliata var. carnosula Benth. Brachyactis frondosa A.Gray Brachyactis woodhousei (Wooton) Wooton & Standl.

Description

Symphyotrichum frondosum is an annual or occasionally perennial herbaceous, flowering plant growing a leaning or erect stem to a maximum height of 5–140 centimeters (2–55 inches). The leaves are a few centimeters long and oval in shape with rounded tips. The stem and leaves are mostly hairless.^[3]

The inflorescence is a small array of flower heads containing many short pale pink or lavender ray florets and yellow disc florets. The fruit is a hairy cypsela with white to yellow-tinted pappi.^[3]

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  Symphyotrichum frondosum
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  Symphyotrichum frondosum
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  Symphyotrichum frondosum

Distribution and habitat

It is native to North America in the west from British Columbia, south to Baja California (Mexico), east to New Mexico, and north to Wyoming and Idaho. Symphyotrichum frondosum grows in wet habitats such as marshes and meadows, especially in alkaline or saline conditions.^[3]

Conservation