Symphyotrichum georgianum

Symphyotrichum georgianum (formerly Aster georgianus) is a rare species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae, the aster family. Its common name is Georgia aster.[2] It is native to the southeastern United States, where it is known from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.[3] Today it may be extirpated from the state of Florida.[4]

Symphyotrichum georgianum

Vulnerable  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Symphyotrichum
Species:
S. georgianum
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum georgianum
Synonyms
  • Aster georgianus
  • Aster patens var. georgianus
  • Virgulus georgianus
  • Virgulus patens var. georgianus

The Georgia aster is a robust rhizomatous perennial herb producing colonies of woody stems up to 100 centimetres (39 in) long. The thick, dark green leaves are up to 7 centimetres (3 in) long by 2 centimetres (0.8 in) wide. They are oblong to lance-shaped with smooth or serrated margins. The flower heads are borne on rough-haired, glandular peduncles. The bracts are linear to lance-shaped.[3] The flower heads are relatively large, up to 5[4] to 6[1] centimeters across. Each ray floret is up to 2 centimeters long.[4] The florets are purple and have been described as "dark purple"[4] to "lavender violet to dark reddish purple".[3] The disc florets at the center are white and purplish.[3]

This plant blooms in October and November.[4]

The Georgia aster grows in oak-pine woodlands.[3][4] The local region was once covered in a post oak-savanna, and this species was a member of this ecosystem. This type of plant community depends on natural disturbance, such as wildfire. Today this type of plant community has been largely destroyed or degraded by fire suppression and the removal of certain large grazing mammals.[1][4] The Georgia aster is therefore a relict species of this historic ecosystem, and grows in remaining woodlands.[4]

146 populations are estimated to remain.[4]

Threats to the survival of the species include elimination of habitat disturbance such as fire. Other threats include road construction and herbicide application.[4]

  • In bloom
  • Close up

References
  1. "Symphyotrichum georgianum". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  2. "Symphyotrichum georgianum". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  3. Brouillet, Luc; Semple, John C.; Allen, Geraldine A.; Chambers, Kenton L.; Sundberg, Scott D. (2006). "Symphyotrichum georgianum". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). 20. New York and Oxford – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  4. USFWS Species Assessment and Listing Priority Assignment Form. United States Fish and Wildlife Service.


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