Kingdom Plantae Tribe Astereae Rank Species | Family Compositae Genus Symphyotrichum Order Asterales | |
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Scientific name Symphyotrichum depauperatum Similar Symphyotrichum, Symphyotrichum ascendens, Symphyotrichum eatonii, Symphyotrichum falcatum, Symphyotrichum prenanthoides | ||
Symphyotrichum depauperatum, also known as the serpentine aster, is a rare species of aster adapted to serpentine barrens, an ecosystem with a high concentration of toxic metals in the soil.
Contents
Symphyotrichum depauperatum is a perennial herb up to 50 cm (20 inches) tall, with 1-3 stems. Leaves are narrow, generally 2-4 cm (0.8-1.6 inches) long. The plant produces numerous flower heads in branched arrays, each head with 7–14 white or pink ray flowers surrounding 7–17 yellow disc flowers.
Distribution
Symphyotrichum depauperatum grows in 20 of the 26 serpentine barrens in the east-central United States (Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina), and has been called a "flagship" species of this unique ecosystem. It was previously thought to be endemic to these barrens, but it was recently confirmed to also occur in a disjoint population on diabase glades in North Carolina.
Conservation
Symphyotrichum depauperatum is classified by the state of Pennsylvania as a threatened species because its range is restricted to a few limited areas, and the majority of its populations occur on sites threatened by quarrying, housing and industrial development.