Symphyotrichum subulatum (formerly Aster subulatus), commonly known as eastern annual saltmarsh aster or, in Britain and Ireland where it is naturalized, annual saltmarsh aster,[7] is an annual plant in the familyAsteraceae native to the eastern United States and the Gulf Coast to Texas.[8] The species grows primarily in coastal salt marshes, although in the Ozarks it occurs as a non-marine weedy variety.[9]
Description
Symphyotrichum subulatum is an annual forb that possesses a single erect stem that can reach up to 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) in height. The stem, along with its thin green to dark green leaves, are both hairless. The sheathing base-blades of the leaves are ovulate, and the margins are entire.[10]
The top of the stem extends into a racemeinflorescence. The heads open up into bright yellow disc florets that are surrounded by ray florets that vary in color from white to lavender.[11]
S. subulatum
S. subulatum base
S. subulatum stem and leaves
Taxonomy
The species' full scientific name is Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G.L.Nesom. As of December 2021[update], three varieties of S. subulatum were accepted by Plants of the World Online (POWO), with S. subulatum var. subulatum as the autonym:[3]
S. subulatum var. elongatum (Boss. ex A.G.Jones & Lowry) S.D.Sundb.[5]
S. subulatum var. squamatum (Spreng.) S.D.Sundb.[6]
The varieties S. subulatum var. ligulatum (Shinners) S.D.Sundb. and S. s. var. parviflorum (Nees) S.D.Sundb., as of December 2021[update], are accepted at the species level by POWO as Symphyotrichum divaricatum (Nutt.) G.L.Nesom[12] and Symphyotrichum expansum (Poepp. ex Spreng.) G.L.Nesom,[13] respectively. As of December 2021[update], S. s. var. parviflorum (Nees) S.D.Sundb. is accepted at the species level by Catalogue of Life (COL) as Symphyotrichum parviflorum.[14]
Distribution and habitat
Symphyotrichum subulatum is a terrestrial species that will typically grow among grasses of any kind.[10] It is found in salt marshes, pond margins, sloughs, swamps, crop field margins, lawns, and roadsides. It is thought to be especially prevalent in these areas because of a tolerance to saline soils and mowing.[15] It is native to the eastern and Gulf Coast areas of the United States. It is also common across Mexico, the West Indies, Bermuda, Central America, and South America, depending on variety.[11]
Uses
According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, eastern annual saltmarsh aster can be planted to attract butterflies and has value for native bees.[16]
TWC Staff (19 September 2018). "Symphyotrichum subulatum". Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (www.wildflower.org). University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
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