Taxonomy
Family: Asteraceae
Habitat
Marshes, calcareous fens, bogs, moist sandflats.
Associates
In marshes found with Asclepias incarnata, Calamagrostis canadensis, Thelypteris palustris, Eupatorium maculatum, Iris virginica, Lycopus americanus, Lythrum alatum, Onoclea sensibilis, Scirpus pungens, Typha latifolia, Verbena hastata.
Distribution
.
Morphology
Herbaceous perennial. Principle stem leaves opposite, finely crenate to serrate throughout, connate-perfoliate at the bases. Stems coarsely hairy to downy-pubescent throughout. Flowers white; florets more than 5 per head.
Notes
Flowers late June to early October
Wetland indicator: Facultative wetland+
Apparently quite pH adaptable, growing in acid bogs, calcareous fens, and various other wetland habitats. I have found many specimens in moist sandy flats near Lake Michigan with a deep purple coloration that seemed to be related to water level, perhaps stress related (but attractive nonetheless!). Another good plant for a moist part of the garden.
Bibliography
Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.
Michael Hough © 2004 |