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Native Plant Database

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Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides (White heath aster)
Bransford, W.D. Mrs.

Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides (L.) Nesom

White heath aster, Heath Aster, White Aster, White Prairie Aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonyms: Aster ericoides, Aster multiflorus

USDA Symbol: SYERE

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Heath aster is a bushy, grayish, 1-3 ft. perennial with densely clustered, miniature, daisy-like, white flowers. The tiny leaves resemble those of the heath plant.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: AZ , AR , CO , CT , DE , IL , IN , IA , KS , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , ND , OH , OK , PA , RI , SD , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI
Canada: AB , MB , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: ME to PA & Man., s. to MS and Mex.
Native Habitat: Dry prairies; roadsides
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry soils.
Conditions Comments: Heath aster is a bushy, grayish, perennial with densely clustered, miniature, daisy-like, white flowers. The tiny leaves resemble those of the heath plant.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Pearl Crescent
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: No

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Symphyotrichum ericoides var. ericoides is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Pearl Crescent
(Phyciodes tharos)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Best propagated by division of mature plants which produce numerous, easily-separated rhizomes. Divide in late fall or very early spring. Germination of seed is usually quite low.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Seeds require dry stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

 

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, S.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-18
Research By: NPIS, LAS

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