Symphyotrichum urophyllum

Symphyotrichum urophyllum (syn. Aster urophyllus) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to eastern North America, commonly known as arrowleaf aster.[1]

Symphyotrichum urophyllum

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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Symphyotrichum
Species:
S. urophyllum
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum urophyllum
Synonyms
  • Aster urophyllus
  • Aster sagittifolius var. dissitiflorus

Description
Leaf of S. urophyllum, Ontario, Canada

Symphyotrichum urophyllum is a perennial herbaceous species between 40 to 120 cm tall. Plants are cespitose, with 1-5 erect stems emerging from the same point. The broad, thin, toothed leaves are arrow-shaped, with a broadly winged petiole. The dense, pyramidal inflorescence of composite flowers is distinctive.[2] The ray florets are white and the disc florets are white to cream becoming pink.[1]

Taxonomy

Symphyotrichum urophyllum was formerly included in the large genus Aster as Aster urophyllus. However, this broad circumscription of Aster is polyphyletic and the North American asters are now mostly classified in Symphyotrichum and several other genera.[3]

The taxonomic status of this species has been unstable, and it has been treated as Symphyotrichum sagittifolium, a name now considered to be synonymous with Symphyotrichum cordifolium. Most sources now use S. urophyllum to refer to this species.[1][4]

Distribution and Habitat
S. urophyllum, Ontario, Canada, showing pyramidal inflorescence

Symphyotrichum urophyllum is native to the United States from Maine to Florida and west to Nebraska, and to Ontario, Canada. It is found in open, dry to mesic habitats such as meadows, open woodland, bluffs, forest edges and roadsides.[1]

References
  1. Brouillet, Luc; Semple, John C.; Allen, Geraldine A.; Chambers, Kenton L.; Sundberg, Scott D. (2006). "Symphyotrichum urophyllum". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). 20. New York and Oxford – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  2. "Symphyotrichum urophyllum". Michigan Flora. University of Michigan. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  3. Semple, J. C. "An overview of "asters" and the Tribe Astereae". University of Waterloo. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  4. Hilty, John. "White Arrowleaf Aster". Illinois Wildflowers. Retrieved 28 January 2020.


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