Symphyotrichum molle | |
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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. Occidentales |
Species: | S. molle |
Binomial name | |
Symphyotrichum molle | |
S. molle range is outlined in white. It is endemic to the Bighorn Mountains of Montana [3] and Wyoming. [4] | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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Symphyotrichum molle (formerly Aster mollis) is a species of flowering plant in the aster family (Asteraceae) endemic to the Bighorn Mountains of Montana and Wyoming in the United States. Commonly known as soft aster, it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that ranges from 30 to 60 centimeters (12 to 24 inches) in height.
Symphyotrichum molle is a perennial, herbaceous plant which blooms in August. It grows from 30 to 60 centimeters (12 to 24 inches) in height, and it is colonial with long rhizomes in its root system. It has from one to five stems, sometimes more, that are densely covered in soft, downy hairs, sometimes to the extent of being woolly. The stems arise from the root base in an ascending or erect fashion. [4]
The leaves are thin and covered in downy to woolly hairs on both sides. They are smooth around the edges and pointed at the ends. Those at the base are oblanceolate in shape, have short leafstalks (petioles), and are from 1.5 to 5 cm (0.6 to 2.0 in) in length and usually 0.5 to 2 cm (0.2 to 0.8 in) in width. By the time the plant blooms, the basal leaves usually have withered or dried. The stem leaves (cauline leaves) are longer and wider than the basal leaves, with lengths ranging from 5 to 15 cm (2.0 to 5.9 in) and widths from 1 to 2.5 cm (0.4 to 1.0 in). They may or may not have a petiole, and they are oblanceolate in shape. They slightly clasp the stem. Leaves furthest on the stem (distal leaves), closest to the flowers, are lanceolate rather than oblanceolate, 3–10 cm (1.2–3.9 in) in length, and 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) wide. [4]
The inflorescences of Symphyotrichum molle have flower heads in corymbiform to paniculiform arrays with their branches growing up to 20 cm (7.9 in) in length. Each head has a hairy peduncle with 0–3 bracts which are either lanceolate to narrowly ovate in shape. The involucres are bell-shaped and 7–9 millimeters in length with oblong to oblanceolate phyllaries that are in 4–5, sometimes up to 6, unequal series. [4]
Its flowers have 20–35 violet ray florets that are from 12 to20 mm in length and 1–2 mm wide. There are usually 35–70 yellow disk florets with triangular lobes when they bloom. [4]
Symphyotrichum molle has a base number of eight chromosomes (x = 8) [5] with a tetraploid count of 32. [4]
Symphyotrichum molle is endemic to the Bighorn Mountains of Montana [3] and Wyoming [4] in the United States. It is a montane species that can be found at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 meters (6,600 to 9,800 feet) in dry meadows. [4]
NatureServe lists Symphyotrichum molle as Vulnerable (G3) worldwide, Imperiled (S2) in Montana, and Vulnerable (S3) in Wyoming. Its global status was last reviewed by NatureServe on 10 April 1998 [update] . [1]
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae is a species of flowering plant in the aster family (Asteraceae) native to central and eastern North America. Commonly known as New England aster, hairy Michaelmas-daisy, or Michaelmas daisy, it is a perennial, herbaceous plant usually between 30 and 120 centimeters tall and 60 to 90 cm wide.
Symphyotrichum ericoides, known as white heath aster, frost aster, or heath aster, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to much of central and eastern North America. It has been introduced to parts of Europe and western Asia.
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum is a species of flowering plant in the aster family (Asteraceae). Commonly known as calico aster, starved aster, and white woodland aster, it is native to eastern and central North America. It is a perennial and herbaceous plant that may reach heights up to 120 centimeters and widths up to 30 centimeters.
Symphyotrichum ascendens is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common names western aster, long-leaved aster, and Rocky Mountain aster. Blooming July–September, it is native to western North America and can be found at elevations of 500–3,200 m (1,600–10,500 ft) in several habitats.
Symphyotrichum defoliatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name San Bernardino aster. It is endemic to Southern California where it grows in grasslands and meadows, and it is of conservation concern.
Symphyotrichum pilosum is a perennial, herbaceous, flowering plant in the Asteraceae family native to central and eastern North America. It is commonly called hairy white oldfield aster, frost aster, white heath aster, heath aster, hairy aster, common old field aster, old field aster, awl aster, nailrod, and steelweed. There are two varieties: Symphyotrichumpilosum var.pilosum, known by the common names previously listed, and Symphyotrichumpilosum var.pringlei, known as Pringle's aster. Both varieties are conservationally secure globally and in most provinces and states where they are native.
Symphyotrichum prenanthoides is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name crookedstem aster. It is native to northcentral and northeastern North America.
Symphyotrichum georgianum is a rare species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae, the aster family. Its common name is Georgia aster. It is native to the southeastern United States where it is known from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. As of 2013, it may be extirpated from the state of Florida.
Symphyotrichum falcatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Commonly called white prairie aster and western heath aster, it is native to a widespread area of central and western North America.
Symphyotrichum dumosum is a species of flowering plant of the family Asteraceae commonly known as rice button aster and bushy aster. It is native to much of eastern and central North America, as well as Haiti and Dominican Republic. It is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach a height of 1 meter.
Symphyotrichum patens, commonly known as late purple aster or spreading aster, is a perennial, herbaceous plant found in the eastern United States.
Symphyotrichum firmum, commonly known as shining aster, shiny-leaved aster, smooth swamp aster, and glossy-leaved aster, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae native to Canada and the United States.
Symphyotrichum ontarionis is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to eastern North America. Commonly known as Ontario aster and bottomland aster, it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach heights of 120 centimeters. Each flower head has many tiny florets put together into what appear as one.
Symphyotrichum racemosum is a species of flowering plant native to parts of the United States and introduced in Canada. It is known as smooth white oldfield aster and small white aster. It is a perennial, herbaceous plant in the family Asteraceae. It is a late-summer and fall blooming flower.
Symphyotrichum simmondsii is a species of flowering plant of the family Asteraceae endemic to the southeastern United States. Commonly known as Simmonds' aster, it is a colony-forming herbaceous perennial.
Symphyotrichum potosinum is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Mexico and the U.S. state of Arizona. Commonly known as Santa Rita Mountain aster, it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach heights of 15 to 45 centimeters.
Symphyotrichum pratense is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to the southeastern United States. Commonly known as barrens silky aster, it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach 40 to 60 centimeters tall. Its flowers have rose-purple ray florets and pink then purple disk florets.
Symphyotrichum spathulatum is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to western North America including northwestern Mexico. Commonly known as western mountain aster, it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach 20 to 80 centimeters tall. Its flowers, which open in July and August, have violet ray florets and yellow disk florets.
Symphyotrichum chapmanii is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to the Apalachicola River drainage basin of Alabama and Florida. Commonly known as savanna aster, it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach 30 to 80 centimeters tall. Its flowers have purple to blue-lavender ray florets and pale yellow disk florets. It is a wetland species and is of conservation concern. It may be extirpated in Alabama.
Symphyotrichum kentuckiense is a rare species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family and is commonly known as Kentucky aster, Price's aster, Miss Price's aster, Sadie's aster, or lavender oldfield aster. It is a perennial, herbaceous plant that is endemic to broken limestone cedar glades and roadsides in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. It blooms from August through October, reaches heights between 30 centimeters and 100 cm (3.3 ft), and has green to reddish-brown stems. It is a nearly hairless plant with blue to blue-violet ray florets.