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Makin, Julie

Symphyotrichum pilosum var. pilosum

Symphyotrichum pilosum (Willd.) G.L. Nesom var. pilosum

Hairy White Oldfield Aster, Frost Aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Aster ericoides var. platyphyllus, Aster ericoides var. villosus, Aster juniperinus, Aster pilosus, Aster pilosus var. platyphyllus, Aster ramosissimus, Aster villosus

USDA Symbol: SYPIP3

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

The stems, branches and often the leaves of this stout, leafy, much-branched aster are frequently covered with white hairs. The leaves are stiff and narrow, and the flower heads are scattered throughout the upper half of the 3-5 ft. perennial. Showy, white ray flowers surround yellow discs.

From the Image Gallery

36 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Leaf: 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
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: BC , ON , QC
Native Distribution: ME to Ont. & s.e. MN, s. to n. FL, LA & e. KS
Native Habitat: Dry or mesic thickets & clearings

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Sandy soils.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

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

Propagation

Description: Sow seeds, 5/8" deep, outside in fall or provide cold stratification. Also propagated by "softwood" cuttings taken in late spring.
Commercially Avail: yes

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:

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.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-01-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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