Symphyotrichum oolentangiense - (image 1 of 4)
Taxonomy
Family: Asteraceae
Gleason uses the name A. oolentangiensis Riddell and following contemporary thinking this plant is referable as Symphyotrichum oolentangiense (Riddell) Nesom var. oolentangiense.
Habitat
Black oak savanna, dry and mesic prairies, clay banks
Associates
Distribution
Western NY and southern Ontario west to MN and SD, south to western TN, northwest MS, LA and eastern TX.
Morphology
Perennial to 1.5 m from a branched caudex or short rhizome. Leaves slightly to harshly scabrous, to 6 x 13 cm; lower leaves petiolate and cordate or subcordate; leaf blades mostly entire, some subentire. Flowers bright sky-blue or occasionally pink; rays 10-25, 5-12 mm. Achenes glabrous or nearly so.
Notes
Flowers July to November
Wetland Indicator: NA
Makes a great ornamental for a dry, sunny garden in soils ranging from sandy to clayey. Very drought tolerant. The first three photographs are of wild plants in Northern IL, the last from cultivated plants.
References
Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.
The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY
Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.
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© Michael Hough 2004 |