Symphyotrichum simmondsii
Symphyotrichum simmondsii (formerly Aster simmondsii) is a species of flowering plant of the aster family (Asteraceae) endemic to the southeastern United States. Commonly known as Simmonds' aster, it is a colony-forming herbaceous perennial that grows 10 cm (4 in) to 120 cm (4 ft) tall from long rhizomes.[2] As composite flowers, each flower head has many tiny florets put together into what appear as one, as do all plants in the family Asteraceae.
| Symphyotrichum simmondsii | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Symphyotrichum |
| Subgenus: | Symphyotrichum subg. Symphyotrichum |
| Section: | Symphyotrichum sect. Symphyotrichum |
| Species: | S. simmondsii |
| Binomial name | |
| Symphyotrichum simmondsii | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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The flowers of Simmonds' aster have an average of 18–38 pale lavender or lilac to pale purple petals, also called rays or ray florets. The flower centers, composed of disk florets, begin as yellow and become reddish as they mature. There are roughly 24–37 disk florets, each with five lobes.[2]
Symphyotrichum simmondsii grows in moist or dry habitats at elevations up to 50 meters (164 feet) and can be found in the southeastern United States, particularly in peninsular Florida.[2] Symphyotrichum simmondsii has a base number of x = 8[3] and an octaploid chromosome count of 64.[2]
References
- POWO (2019). "Symphyotrichum simmondsii (Small) G.L.Nesom". Plants of the World Online (powo.science.kew.org). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- Brouillet, L.; Semple, J.C.; Allen, G.A.; Chambers, K.L.; Sundberg, S.D. (2006). "Symphyotrichum simmondsii". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). 20. New York and Oxford. Retrieved 25 January 2021 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
- Semple, J.C. (n.d.). "Symphyotrichum Dumosi: Bushy Asters and Relatives". University of Waterloo (UWaterloo.ca). Waterloo, Ontario: University of Waterloo. Retrieved 25 January 2021.