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Symphyotrichum drummondii var. drummondii
Symphyotrichum drummondii (Lindl.) G.L. Nesom var. drummondii
Drummond's Aster, Arrow Aster
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Aster drummondii, Aster sagittifolius var. drummondii
USDA Symbol: SYDRD
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Numerous narrow, arrowhead-shaped leaves occur on the 2-4 ft. stems of this aster. The flowers bear pale blue, lavender or white rays.
The species and variety name of this plant is named for Thomas Drummond, (ca. 1790-1835), naturalist, born in Scotland, around 1790. In 1830 he made a trip to America to collect specimens from the western and southern United States. In March, 1833, he arrived at Velasco, Texas to begin his collecting work in that area. He spent twenty-one months working the area between Galveston Island and the Edwards Plateau, especially along the Brazos, Colorado, and Guadalupe rivers. His collections were the first made in Texas that were extensively distributed among the museums and scientific institutions of the world. He collected 750 species of plants and 150 specimens of birds. Drummond had hoped to make a complete botanical survey of Texas, but he died in Havana, Cuba, in 1835, while making a collecting tour of that island.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet 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 , Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NE , OH , OK , PA , TN , WI , WVNative Distribution: S.w. VT & w. PA to ND & n.e. SD, s. to GA & LA
Native Habitat: Woodlands; thicket edges; open, rocky sites
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky soils
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
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 Symphyotrichum drummondii var. drummondii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Symphyotrichum drummondii var. drummondii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symphyotrichum drummondii var. drummondii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-19Research By: TWC Staff