Kingdom Plantae Tribe Astereae Subgenus Symphyotrichum Scientific name Symphyotrichum puniceum Rank Species | Order Asterales Genus Symphyotrichum Section Symphyotrichum Higher classification Symphyotrichum | |
 | ||
Similar Symphyotrichum, Daisy family, Symphyotrichum laeve, Symphyotrichum cordifolium, Symphyotrichum lateriflorum | ||
Symphyotrichum puniceum (formerly Aster puniceus), commonly known as purplestem aster, red-stalk aster, red-stemmed aster or swamp aster, is an herbaceous perennial native to eastern North America. It also has several names that are now obsolete, such as early purple aster and meadow scabish.
It is one of the widest ranging plants of the genus, being present from the edges of the Great Plains to the Atlantic coast and from the Gulf coast of Texas north to southern Ungava Bay in the north of Quebec.
Description
It is a variable species and many forms have been described, but they are generally no longer recognised. Two varieties are accepted, however. The flowers emerge in August through October to show dark blue to rarely white ray florets and yellow to cream-coloured disc florets that become pink or purple with maturity.
