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Symphyotrichum ciliatum

Symphyotrichum ciliatum (Ledeb.) G.L. Nesom

Rayless Alkali Aster, Alkali American-aster, Rayless Aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Aster brachyactis, Brachyactis angusta, Brachyactis ciliata, Brachyactis ciliata ssp. angusta, Tripolium angustum

USDA Symbol: SYCI2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

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 disc flowers are followed by a soft seed head.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 28 inches tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: White, aging to pink.

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

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, saline, sandy soils.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

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

National Wetland Indicator Status

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

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

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: 2023-01-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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