Symphyotrichum dumosum (L.) Nesom

Bushy Aster

Habitat: Fields, woodlands, and dry, sandy places.

Range: Southern Maine to Florida, west to Louisiana, north to Michigan.

Aids to Identification: The lobes of the disk corolla on this aster comprise 15-45% of the limb. The leaf blades are narrowed to the base and involucral bracts lack a spine tip and are softly ciliate on the margin. There are many short (1-4 mm long) imbricate bracts.

Ecological characteristics: This aster grows mostly on or near the coastal plain.

Phenology: Flowers late August - October.

Family: Asteraceae

Synonyms: Aster cordifolius Michx.; Aster dumosus L. var. cordifolius (Michx.) Torr. & Gray; Aster dumosus L. var. gracilentus Torr. & Gray; Aster dumosus L. var. dodgei Fern.; Aster dumosus L. var. strictior Torr. & Gray; Aster dumosus L. var. subulifolius Torr. & Gray; Symphyotrichum dumosum (L.) Nesom var. dodgei (Fern.) Nesom; Symphyotrichum dumosum (L.) Nesom var. strictior (Torr. & Gray) Nesom; Symphyotrichum dumosum (L.) Nesom var. subulifolium (Torr. & Gray) Nesom

Known Distribution in Maine: This rare plant has been historically documented from a total of 1 town(s) in the following county(ies): York.

Reason(s) for rarity: Northern limit of its range.

Conservation considerations: None noted.