ASTER SOLIDAGINEUS
Michx.
Narrow-leaved Aster
FAMILY: Compositae (Asteraceae)
SYNONYM: Sericocarpus linifolius (L.) BSP.
HABIT: Perennial herb to 6 dm.; flowering
June-September; fruiting August-October.
SIMILAR SPECIES: Aster solidagineus can generally be
distinguished from other species of Aster by its sessile, linear, entire
leaves and few-rayed (3-6) heads.
TOTAL RANGE: S. NH to s. IN, s. to GA, AL, MS, and LA.
STATE RANGE: There are extant populations in Jackson, Pike,
and Scioto counties. There is a pre-1960 record from Adams County.
STATE STATUS: 1980 to present: Threatened.
HABITAT: Dry, open to semi-open situations: upland woods,
thickets, and clearings.
HAZARDS: Overshading by woody species as a result of
succession.
RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Unknown, but possibly good. It appears
able to colonize disturbed habitats.
INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Mature flowering material is needed
for positive identification.
COMMENTS: Among Ohio asters, this species is relatively easy
to identify. However, it may be
overlooked due to its non-descript appearance. In general terms, though, its
state range probably is accurately known.
Some
authors segregate this and a related species into the separate genus Sericocarpus
(see Synonym). However, most recent authors do not follow this treatment.
SELECTED REFERENCES:
Cronquist, A. 1980. Vascular flora of the
southeastern United States. Vol. I. Asteraceae. Univ. of North Carolina Press,
Chapel Hill, NC. xv + 261 p.
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Created: 1/1983 James Burns
Database Code: SPNX.C14