Rice button aster, Bushy aster
Symphyotrichum dumosum
Asteraceae


Landscape Uses:

Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Grown by one or two native plant nurseries in South Florida.
Description:
Medium herbaceous wildflower.
Height:
Typically 2-4 feet in height.
Growth Rate:
Moderate to fast.
Range:
Widespread in eastern North America west to Texas and south to the Monroe County Keys.
Habitats:
Pinelands, prairies and disturbed sites.
Soils:
Moist to wet, moderately well-drained to well-drained, sandy or limestone soils, without humusy top layer.
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:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color:
White or blue.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Spring-fall.
Fruit:
Inconspicuous achene.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Larval host plant for pearl crescent (Phyciodes tharos) butterflies. Attracts butterflies, native bees, and other pollinators.
Horticultural Notes:
Can be grown from seed.
Comments:
See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.


Chuck McCartney
Chuck McCartney
Roger L. Hammer