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Symphyotrichum shortii
Symphyotrichum shortii (Lindl.) G.L. Nesom
Short's Aster
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Aster camptosorus, Aster shortii
USDA Symbol: sysh
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Blooming at the same time as Broadleaf Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis), this woodland aster can suffuse a Southeastern forest or shady garden in a purple mist of blooms in the autumn. The centers of the flowers start out yellow but turn brick red after pollination. It will self-sow and spread throughout an area, but individual plants are short-lived. It attracts an array of pollinators and seed eaters.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Inflorescence: Head
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Flower: Flower 1 inch across
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PurpleBloom Time: Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Flower centers (disc flowers) open yellow but turn dark red after pollination.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MD , MI , MN , MS , NC , OH , PA , TN , VA , WI , WVCanada: ON
Native Distribution: eastern US, Zones 6 to 8
Native Habitat: Savanna, Forest Edge, Prairie/Meadow/Field, in shaded or partially shaded spots
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: rich, acid sands and loams; tolerates lime
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Flowers add clouds of purple to the shady Southeastern woodland garden.Use Wildlife: Flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Seeds attract cardinals, finches, grosbeaks, sparrows, thrashers, towhees, chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, and turkeys.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies , Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root Division , SeedsSeed Collection: Matures in mid- to late fall.
Maintenance: Short-lived so allow to seed out where you want it to continue.
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
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiBibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
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 shortii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Symphyotrichum shortii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symphyotrichum shortii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-27Research By: TWC Staff