| Clasping aster, Scaleleaf aster
|
| Symphyotrichum adnatum
|
| Asteraceae
|
Landscape Uses:
|
|
Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also uselful in wildflower and rock gardens. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
|
A relatively common understory herb in pinelands. |
| Availability: |
|
Grown by enthusiasts and occasionally by native plant nurseries. Available in Miami at Dade County FNPS.
|
| Description: |
| |
Small to medium sprawling wildflower with small appressed leaves and wirely stems. |
| Height: |
| |
Typically 6-12 inches in height; to 2 feet or more when in flower. Usually broader than tall forming small open patches. |
| Growth Rate: |
| |
Moderate. |
| Range: |
| |
Southeastern United States south to the Monroe County Keys, but absent from much of eastern peninsular Florida; northern Bahamas. In the Monroe County Keys, disjunct from Miami-Dade County to the pine rocklands of Big Pine Key. |
| Habitats: |
| |
Pinelands. |
| Soils: |
| |
Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, without humus. |
| Nutritional Requirements: |
| |
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils. |
| Salt Water Tolerance: |
| |
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water. |
| Salt Wind Tolerance: |
| |
Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation. |
| Drought Tolerance: |
| |
High; does not require any supplemental water once established. |
| Light Requirements: |
| |
Full sun. |
| Flower Color: |
| |
Blue or lavender. |
| Flower Characteristics: |
| |
Showy. |
| Flowering Season: |
| |
Fall. |
| Fruit: |
| |
Inconspicuous achene. |
| Wildlife and Ecology: |
| |
Attracts native bees and other beneficial insects. |
| Horticultural Notes: |
| |
Can be grown from seed. |
| Comments: |
| |
A beautiful and interesting addition to open, dry spots in the garden. Horticultural synonyms: Aster adnatus. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page. |
|
|
|
James Johnson, 2014 In habitat, Everglades National Park, Florida Expand
|
|
|