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Symphyotrichum ciliatum (Ledeb.) Nesom

Alkali American-aster, Rayless alkali aster, Rayless aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonyms: Aster brachyactis, Brachyactis ciliata

USDA Symbol: SYCI2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The 6-28 in. stem of this annual may or may not be branched. Leaves are nearly linear, from 1-5 in. long; the lower falling off soon in the season. Flowers are numerous in an open spike-like cluster. Ray flower (petals) are usually not present. The disk flowers are followed by a soft seed head.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Sep

Distribution

USA: CO , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , NY , OH , OK , PA , SD , UT , WA , WI , WY
Canada: AB , BC , NB , NT , NU , ON , QC , SK , YT
Native Distribution: B.C. to Man. & MN, s. to n. WA, CO & MO
Native Habitat: Moist, saline, sandy soil along streams; swamps
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, saline, sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Symphyotrichum ciliatum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Symphyotrichum ciliatum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symphyotrichum ciliatum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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