Symphyotrichum laeve

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant in family Asteraceae}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}

{{Use shortened footnotes|date=July 2021}}

{{Use American English|date=July 2021}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = Symphyotrichum laeve 93797924 (cropped).jpg

| range_map = Symphyotrichum laeve distribution.png

| range_map_alt = Symphyotrichum laeve native distribution map: Canada — Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Québec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon; Mexico — Coahuila; US — Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

| range_map_caption = North American distribution{{sfn|POWO|2019}}{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006|loc=var. geyeri}}{{sfn|Brouillet|Desmet|Coursol|Meades|2020}}

| status = {{TNCStatus}}

| status_system = TNC

| status_ref = {{sfn|NatureServe|2021}}

| subdivision_ranks = Varieties

| subdivision_ref = {{sfn|POWO|2019}}

| subdivision =

  • S. laeve var. laeve
  • S. laeve var. concinnum {{small|(Willd.) G.L.Nesom}}
  • S. laeve var. geyeri {{small|(A.Gray) G.L.Nesom}}
  • S. laeve var. purpuratum {{small|(Nees) G.L.Nesom}}

| display_parents = 5

| parent = Symphyotrichum sect. Symphyotrichum

| taxon = Symphyotrichum laeve

| authority = (L.) Á.Löve & D.Löve{{sfn|POWO|2019}}

| synonyms_ref = {{sfn|POWO|2019}}

| synonyms =

Basionym

  • Aster laevis {{small|L.}}

{{Collapsible list|title=Alphabetical list

|{{Species list

|Aster amplexicaulis|Muhl. ex Willd.

|Aster autranii|Post

|Aster bupleurifolius|Nees

|Aster cyaneus|Hoffm.

|Aster decorus|Desf. ex DC.

|Aster expansus|Nees

|Aster falcidens|E.S.Burgess

|Aster glaucescens|Wender. ex Nees

|Aster glaucus|Nees

|Aster laevigatus|Hook.

|Aster laevis var. abbreviatus|Lunell

|Aster laevis f. amplifolius|(Porter) Fernald

|Aster laevis var. amplifolius|Porter

|Aster laevis f. beckwithiae|House

|Aster laevis var. cyaneus|(Hoffm.) Torr.

|Aster laevis var. falcatus|Farw.

|Aster laevis f. falcatus|(Farw.) F.Seym.

|Aster laevis f. latifolius|(Porter) Shinners

|Aster laevis var. latifolius|Porter

|Aster laevis var. panduratus|Farw.

|Aster laevis f. purpurascens|Farw.

|Aster laevis var. simplex|Cockerell

|Aster laevis var. sourisensis|Lunell

|Aster laevis var. strictiflorus|Osterh.

|Aster laevis var. thyrsoideus|Farw.

|Aster laevis var. undulatifolius|Lunell

|Aster lucidus|Loudon

|Aster pensilvanicus|Poir.

|Aster pickettianus|Suksd.

|Aster politus|Nees

|Aster rubricaulis|Lam.

|Aster steeleorum|Shinners

|Diplactis cyanea|Raf.

}}

}}

}}

Symphyotrichum laeve (formerly Aster laevis) is a flowering plant native to Canada, the United States, and Coahuila (Mexico). It has the common names of smooth blue aster,{{sfn|USDA |2014}} smooth aster,{{sfn|Brouillet|Desmet|Coursol|Meades|2020}} smooth-leaved aster, glaucous Michaelmas-daisy{{sfn|BSBI|2007}} and glaucous aster.{{sfn|Brouillet|Desmet|Coursol|Meades|2020}}

Description

Smooth aster is {{convert|20|to|70|cm|in|0|abbr=off|sp=us}} tall.{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}} Its leaves are arranged alternately on the stems, and their shape varies among lanceolate, oblong-ovate, oblong-obovate, and ovate.{{sfn|Hilty|2016}} They measure from {{convert|3|to|20|cm|in|0|abbr=off|sp=us}} long and from {{convert|1|to|2.5|cm|in|abbr=on|frac=8}} wide. They are usually hairless, and the leaf edges are entire or bluntly or sharply toothed (crenate or serrate), sometimes with smaller teeth (serrulate).{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}}

Symphyotrichum laeve 44271027.jpg

Symphyotrichum laeve 50344044.jpg

The flower heads are arranged in clusters (panicles). Each flower head has 13 to 23 ray florets with pale to dark blue or purple petals (laminae), and 19 to 33 disc florets that start out yellow and eventually turn purplish-red.{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}} The whole flowerhead measures {{convert|1/2|to|1|in|mm|sp=us|order=flip}} across.{{sfn|Hilty|2016}}

Symphyotrichum laeve 105736406.jpg

Symphyotrichum laeve 145337525.jpg

Symphyotrichum laeve 38098561.jpg

The seeds are cypselae with pappi (bristles at their tips).{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}} Like the hairs on dandelion seeds, the pappi allow the seeds to be spread by the wind.{{sfn|Hilty|2016}}

Symphyotrichum laeve 34324805.jpg

Taxonomy

There are four varieties: Symphyotrichum laeve var. laeve, S. laeve var. geyeri (Geyer's aster{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006|loc=var. geyeri}}), S. laeve var. concinnum, and S. laeve var. purpuratum.{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}}

Hybrids with this species and others of the genus have been reported, including three named as follows:{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006|loc=var. laeve}}

Aster gravesii (Symphyotrichum x gravesii) specimen (cropped).jpg | Symphyotrichum × gravesii

Symphyotrichum x versicolor specimen (cropped).jpg | Symphyotrichum × versicolor

Aster woldenii isotype (inflorescence).jpg | Symphyotrichum × woldenii

{{Clear}}

{{Collapsible list

| title = {{Big|Species classifications}}

| expand =

|{{Symphyotrichum cladogram}}

}}

{{Indent|0}}

{{Clear}}

Distribution and habitat

Symphyotrichum laeve varieties are native to Canada, the United States,{{sfn|POWO|2019}} and Coahuila (Mexico).{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006|loc=var. geyeri}} The species is introduced in Québec and New Brunswick.{{sfn|Brouillet|Desmet|Coursol|Meades|2020}}

S. laeve grows in fields, open woods, and along roadsides{{sfn|TWC Staff|2017}} in rocky or dry soil and full sun.{{sfn|Missouri Botanical Garden|n.d.}}

Ecology

Symphyotrichum laeve blooms in late summer and early fall. It is pollinated by many native bees{{sfn|TWC Staff|2017}} and attracts butterflies.{{sfn|Missouri Botanical Garden|n.d.}} It is a larval host for the pearl crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos).{{sfn|Evergreen|2014}}{{sfn|Hilty|2016}}

Conservation

Citations

{{Reflist|20em}}

References

{{refbegin}}

  • {{Cite web

| last1 = Brouillet | first1 = L. | author-link1 = Luc Brouillet

| last2 = Desmet | first2 = P.

| last3 = Coursol | first3 = F.

| last4 = Meades | first4 = S.J.

| last5 = Favreau | first5 = M.

| last6 = Anions | first6 = M.

| last7 = Bélisle | first7 = P.

| last8 = Gendreau | first8 = C.

| last9 = Shorthouse | first9 = D.

| date = 4 September 2020

| title = Symphyotrichum laeve (Linnaeus) Á. Löve & D. Löve

| url = https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/taxon/3545/

| website = data.canadensys.net

| publisher = Database of Vascular Plants of Canada (VASCAN)

| language = en

| access-date = 14 September 2021

}}

  • {{Cite eFloras

| 1

| 250005045

| Symphyotrichum laeve

| volume = 20

| tribe = Astereae

| date = 2006

| last1 = Brouillet | first1 = L. | author-link1 = Luc Brouillet

| last2 = Semple | first2 = J.C. | author-link2 = John C. Semple

| last3 = Allen | first3 = G.A. | author-link3 = Geraldine A. Allen

| last4 = Chambers | first4 = K.L. | author-link4 = Kenton Lee Chambers

| last5 = Sundberg | first5 = S.D. | author-link5 = Scott D. Sundberg

| language = en

| access-date = 14 September 2021

}}

  • {{Cite BSBI 2007

| last1 = BSBI

| date = 2007

| access-date = 17 October 2014

}}

  • {{Cite web

| author1 = Evergreen

| date = 2014

| title = Plant Detail: Symphyotrichum laeve (smooth blue aster, smooth aster)

| url = https://nativeplants.evergreen.ca/search/view-plant.php?ID=00125

| website = Native Plant Database (nativeplants.evergreen.ca)

| publisher = Evergreen

| location = Toronto, Ontario

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170202054041/https://nativeplants.evergreen.ca/search/view-plant.php?ID=00125

| archive-date = 2 February 2017

| language = en

| access-date = 27 January 2017

}}

  • {{Cite Illinois Wildflowers

| prairie/plantx/sm_asterx

| Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)

| date = 2016

| first1 = J.

| ref = {{SfnRef|Hilty|2016}}

| website = Illinois Wildflowers (www.illinoiswildflowers.info)

| access-date = 30 September 2016

}}

  • {{Cite web

| author1 = Missouri Botanical Garden | author-link1 = Missouri Botanical Garden

| year = n.d.

| title = Symphyotrichum laeve - Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder

| url = http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=g420

| website = www.missouribotanicalgarden.org

| location = St. Louis

| language = en

| access-date = 27 January 2017

}}

  • {{Cite web

| author1 = NatureServe | author-link1 = NatureServe

| date = 2 July 2021

| title = Symphyotrichum laeve Smooth Blue Aster

| url = https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.151439/Symphyotrichum_laeve

| website = explorer.natureserve.org

| location = Arlington, Virginia

| language = en

| access-date = 17 July 2021

}}

  • {{Cite web

| author1 = POWO | author-link1 = Plants of the World Online

| date = 2019

| title = Symphyotrichum laeve (L.) Á.Löve & D.Löve

| url = https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:247114-2

| website = powo.science.kew.org

| publisher = Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

| language = en

| access-date = 17 July 2021

}}

  • {{Cite web

| author1 = TWC Staff

| date = 2017

| title = Symphyotrichum laeve

| url = https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SYLA3

| website = Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (www.wildflower.org)

| publisher = University of Texas at Austin

| language = en

| access-date = 27 January 2017

}}

  • {{Cite PLANTS|ref = {{sfnRef|USDA|2014}}

| date = 2014

| id = SYLA3

| taxon = Symphyotrichum laeve

| language = en

| access-date = 6 December 2015

}}

{{refend}}