Symphyotrichum potosinum

Last updated

Symphyotrichum potosinum
Symphyotrichum potosinum 146685048 (close).jpg
S. potosinum growing in Cochise County, Arizona, USA
Status TNC G2.svg
Imperiled  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Astereae
Subtribe: Symphyotrichinae
Genus: Symphyotrichum
Subgenus: Symphyotrichum subg. Astropolium
Species:
S. potosinum
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum potosinum
Symphyotrichum potosinum distribution.png
Native distribution [3] [4]
Synonyms [2]
  • Aster lemmoniiA.Gray
  • Aster potosinusA.Gray

Symphyotrichum potosinum (formerly Aster potosinus) 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, [3] it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach heights of 15 to 45 centimeters (6 to 18 inches).

Contents

Description

S. potosinum inflorescence growing in Cochise County, Arizona, USA Symphyotrichum potosinum 146685048.jpg
S. potosinum inflorescence growing in Cochise County, Arizona, USA

Symphyotrichum potosinum is a perennial, herbaceous plant which blooms June to September. It grows from 15 to 45 centimeters (6 to 18 inches) in height, and can be either clump-forming or colonial with rhizomes in its root system. It has from one to three hairless or mostly hairless stems arising from the root base in an ascending or erect fashion. The stems are green but sometimes purple or purplish-brown. Although hairless or nearly so, the stems do have a small amount of hair at the axils where the leaves meet the stems. [3]

Leaves

The leaves are thin and grass-like, hairless or nearly so. Those at the base have long, sheathing, sparsely ciliate petioles, and they are from 4 to 11 cm (1.6 to 4.3 in) in length and usually 5–7 millimeters in width. By the time the plant flowers, the basal leaves are usually withered, yet the stem leaves usually remain. The leaves along the stem range in length from 5 to 12 cm (2 to 5 in) and sometimes up to 18 cm (7 in). They are also grass-like and typically not as wide as those at the base, with width measurements from 1–6 mm. The leaves highest on the stem are either grass-like or awl-shaped with a tapering point, shorter from 1 to 5 cm (0.4 to 2.0 in), and very thin at only 1–2 mm wide. [3]

Flowers

S. potosinum flower heads, pressed and dried Symphyotrichum potosinum herbarium specimen ASC00117534 (single).jpg
S. potosinum flower heads, pressed and dried

The inflorescences of S. potosinum consist of a usual range of 3 to 20 flower heads in paniculiform arrays with their branches growing at 45–50° angles to the stem. Each head has a 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) hairless peduncle with 1–4 bracts. The involucres are cylindric to hemispheric in shape and 5–7.3 mm in length. The phyllaries are in 2–3, sometimes up to 5, series, and awl-shaped to lanceolate. [3]

Its flowers have 14–27 white ray florets that are from 4.6 to10.3 mm in length and 1.3–2 mm wide. There are usually 18–35 yellow disk florets with triangular spreading lobes when they bloom. [3]

Chromosomes

Symphyotrichum potosinum has a base number of five chromosomes (x = 5) [5] with a diploid count of 10. [3]

Taxonomy

History and classification

S. potosinum specimen stored at Deaver Herbarium, Northern Arizona University. Collected 11 June 2016, Garden Canyon, Fort Huachuca, Huachuca Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona, at 1,844 m (6,050 ft). Symphyotrichum potosinum herbarium specimen ASC00117534.jpg
S. potosinum specimen stored at Deaver Herbarium, Northern Arizona University. Collected 11 June 2016, Garden Canyon, Fort Huachuca, Huachuca Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona, at 1,844 m (6,050 ft).

The basionym (original scientific name) of Symphyotrichum potosinum is Aster potosinusA.Gray. [6] Its name with author citations is Symphyotrichum potosinum(A.Gray) G.L.Nesom. [2] The species was formally described in 1880 by American botanist Asa Gray from a specimen collected by E.Palmer and C.C.Parry, [lower-alpha 1] now the holotype and housed in the Gray Herbarium. [11] It is a member of the genus Symphyotrichum classified in the subgenus Astropolium. [12]

Etymology

The word Symphyotrichum has as its root the Greek symphysis, which means "junction", and trichos, which means "hair". [13] The specific epithet potosinum is a Latinization of the Spanish word potosino for the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí where the holotype was found. [14]

The species' former genus, Aster, comes from the Ancient Greek word ἀστήρ (astḗr), meaning "star", referring to the shape of the flower. The word "aster" was used to describe a star-like flower as early as 1542 in De historia stirpium commentarii insignes , a book by the German physician and botanist Leonhart Fuchs. An old common name for Astereae species using the suffix "-wort" is "starwort", also spelled "star-wort" or "star wort". An early use of this name can be found in the same work by Fuchs as Sternkraut, translated from German literally as "star herb" ( Stern Kraut ). [15]

Distribution and habitat

S. potosinum in a wetland habitat in Cochise County, Arizona, USA Symphyotrichum potosinum 146687020.jpg
S. potosinum in a wetland habitat in Cochise County, Arizona, USA

Santa Rita Mountain aster is native to Arizona and Mexico. As of October 2021, it is known in the United States only from Cochise County, Arizona. [1] In Mexico, it has a recorded presence in the states of Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, México, Michoacan, Oaxaca, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Veracruz, and Zacatecas. [4] It is a wetland species and grows in muddy and wet soils on stream banks in the mountains at elevations of 1,500–1,900 meters (4,900–6,200 feet). [3]

Conservation

NatureServe lists Symphyotrichum potosinum as Imperiled (G2) worldwide, and Critically Imperiled (S1) in Arizona. The species is extirpated from the Santa Rita Mountains and possibly the Chiricahua Mountains. It is threatened by road maintenance, recreation, and habitat and water supply destruction. Its global status was last reviewed by NatureServe on 15 December 2015. The species' status in Mexico is not given. [1]

Notes

  1. British-American botanists Edward Palmer [7] [8] and Charles Christopher Parry [9] [10]

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 NatureServe (2021).
  2. 1 2 3 POWO (2021).
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Brouillet et al. (2006).
  4. 1 2 Hassler (2021).
  5. Semple (n.d.).
  6. IPNI (2022).
  7. IPNI (2022b).
  8. Stafleu & Cowan (1979), p. 28–29.
  9. IPNI (2022c).
  10. Stafleu & Cowan (1979), p. 79.
  11. IPNI (2022a).
  12. Semple, Heard & Brouillet (2002), p. 133.
  13. Brouillet et al. (2006a).
  14. Gray (1880).
  15. Fuchs (1542).

Related Research Articles

<i>Symphyotrichum novae-angliae</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to central and eastern North America

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.

<i>Symphyotrichum puniceum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to North America

Symphyotrichum puniceum, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to eastern North America. It is commonly known as purplestem aster, red-stalk aster, red-stemmed aster, red-stem aster, and swamp aster. It also has been called early purple aster, cocash, swanweed, and meadow scabish.

<i>Symphyotrichum ericoides</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to central and eastern North America

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.

<i>Symphyotrichum lateriflorum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to central and eastern North America

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.

<i>Symphyotrichum ascendens</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to western North America

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.

<i>Symphyotrichum frondosum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to western North America and Mexico

Symphyotrichum frondosum is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to western North America. Commonly known as short-rayed alkali aster, it is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant that may reach 140 centimeters tall.

<i>Symphyotrichum pilosum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to central and eastern North America

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, or steelweed. It may reach 20 to 120 centimeters tall, and its flowers have white ray florets and yellow disk florets.

<i>Symphyotrichum depauperatum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae endemic to the United States

Symphyotrichum depauperatum, commonly known as serpentine aster or starved aster, is a rare species in the family Asteraceae adapted to serpentine barrens, an ecosystem with a high concentration of toxic metals in the soil. It has been found in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and on some diabase glades in North Carolina. It grows to 50 centimeters and has white ray florets surrounding a center of yellow disk florets.

<i>Symphyotrichum falcatum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to western and central North America

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.

<i>Symphyotrichum oolentangiense</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to eastern and central North America

Symphyotrichum oolentangiense, commonly known as skyblue aster and azure aster, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to eastern North America.

<i>Symphyotrichum subulatum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to the Americas

Symphyotrichum subulatum, commonly known as eastern annual saltmarsh aster or, in Britain and Ireland where it is naturalized, annual saltmarsh aster, is an annual plant in the family Asteraceae native to the eastern United States and the Gulf Coast to Texas. The species grows primarily in coastal salt marshes, although in the Ozarks it occurs as a non-marine weedy variety.

<i>Symphyotrichum shortii</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to North America

Symphyotrichum shortii, commonly called Short's aster, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to North America, where it is primarily found in interior areas east of the Mississippi River. Its natural habitat is in thin rocky soils of woodlands and thickets often around limestone bluffs. It is common throughout much of its range, although it is generally restricted to intact natural communities.

<i>Symphyotrichum patens</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to the United States

Symphyotrichum patens, commonly known as late purple aster or spreading aster, is a perennial, herbaceous plant found in the eastern United States.

<i>Symphyotrichum boreale</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to North America

Symphyotrichum boreale is a species of flowering plant of the aster family (Asteraceae) native to North America. Commonly known as rush aster, northern bog aster, and slender white aster, it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach heights of 85 centimetres.

<i>Symphyotrichum ontarionis</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to eastern and central North America

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.

<i>Symphyotrichum racemosum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to the US

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.

<i>Symphyotrichum pratense</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to the southeastern United States

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.

<i>Symphyotrichum spathulatum</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to western North America including Mexico

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.

<i>Symphyotrichum kentuckiense</i> Species of flowering plant endemic to the US

Symphyotrichum kentuckiense is a species of rare 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.

References