Native Plants

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Cressler, Alan

Ampelaster carolinianus

Ampelaster carolinianus (Walter) G.L. Nesom

Climbing Aster, Climbing-aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Aster carolinianus, Lasallea caroliniana, Virgulus carolinianus

USDA Symbol: AMCA14

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A sparsely branched plant with a woody stem and branches. Climbs to 6-12 ft. or more, tangling on its own slender stems. Leaves are simple, alternate and narrowly oval. Lavender-pink, aster-like flowers are subtended by whitish-green bracts. They form at the ends of the many small branches and are large and numerous.

From the Image Gallery

10 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Notes: Climber, stems up to about 12 feet long.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: FL , GA , MS , NC , SC
Native Distribution: Coastal plain and piedmont from NC to FL.
Native Habitat: Varies from swamps & wet shores to open, dry, sandy woods.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Wet to dry sands.

Propagation

Commercially Avail: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	OBL				FACW

This information is derived from: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2023). 2022 National Wetland Plant List, version 3.6. U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS. https://wetland-plants.usace.army.mil/. Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 0000-00-00
Research By: TWC Staff

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