Clasping aster, Scaleleaf aster
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Symphyotrichum adnatum
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Asteraceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also uselful in wildflower and rock gardens. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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A relatively common understory herb in pinelands. |
Availability: |
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Grown by enthusiasts and occasionally by native plant nurseries. |
Description: |
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Small to medium sprawling wildflower with small appressed leaves and wirely stems. |
Height: |
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Typically 6-12 inches in height; to 2 feet or more when in flower. Usually broader than tall forming small open patches. |
Growth Rate: |
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Moderate. |
Range: |
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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: |
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Pinelands. |
Soils: |
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Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, without humus. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
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Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation. |
Drought Tolerance: |
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High; does not require any supplemental water once established. |
Light Requirements: |
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Full sun. |
Flower Color: |
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Blue or lavender. |
Flower Characteristics: |
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Showy. |
Flowering Season: |
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Fall. |
Fruit: |
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Inconspicuous achene. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Attracts native bees and other beneficial insects. |
Horticultural Notes: |
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Can be grown from seed. |
Comments: |
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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. |
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James Johnson, 2014 In habitat, Everglades National Park, Florida Expand
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