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Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Symphyotrichum cordifolium (L.) G.L. Nesom
Broad-leaved Aster, Common Blue Wood Aster, Heartleaf Aster
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Aster cordifolius, Aster cordifolius ssp. sagittifolius, Aster cordifolius var. furbishiae, Aster cordifolius var. incisus, Aster cordifolius var. lanceolatus, Aster cordifolius var. moratus, Aster cordifolius var. polycephalus, Aster cordifolius var. racemiflorus, Aster cordifolius var. sagittifolius, Aster finkii var. moratus, Aster lowrieanus var. incisus, Aster lowrieanus var. lanceolatus, Aster plumarius, Aster sagittifolius, Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. furbishiae, Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. lanceolatum, Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. moratum, Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. polycephalum, Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. racemiflorum, Symphyotrichum sagittifolium
USDA Symbol: SYCO4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
The broad-leaved aster grows to 4 feet tall with many branches. Leaves are simple, alternate. There are 10-15 ray flowers, light blue to purple or sometimes white 1/8-1/2 inch long, with a yellow center.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Leaf: Gray-Green
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 , Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: Usually blue to purple. Occasionally white to pink. This species flowers earlier in the South (June to August) than in the more northern regions of its range. According to Randi Eckel at Toadshade Wildflower Farm in Frenchtown, NJ, it begins flowering as early as late September continues into November in their area.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Habitat: upland meadow, upland forests
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Clay, Loam, Sand
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Butterflies
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSupports Conservation Biological Control
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallyBibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Search More Titles in Bibliography
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 cordifolium in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Symphyotrichum cordifolium in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-19Research By: TWC Staff