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Symphyotrichum novi-belgii — New York American-aster

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Facts

New York American-aster is a variable taxon, with three varieties are found in New England: two (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii var. novi-belgii, and var. elodes) are found on coastal and near coastal habitats plus inland riverbanks, fens, marsh edges and boggy shores; and the other (S. novi-belgii var. villicaule), known only from Maine and adjacent Canadian provinces, is usually found on rocky river shores.

Habitat

Brackish or salt marshes and flats, forest edges, marshes, meadows and fields, shores of rivers or lakes

New England distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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North America distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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Characteristics

Habitat
  • terrestrial
  • wetlands
New England state
  • Connecticut
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont
Leaf type
leaves are simple (i.e., lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)
Leaf arrangement
alternate: there is one leaf per node along the stem
Leaf blade edges
  • the edge of the leaf blade has no teeth or lobes
  • the edge of the leaf blade has teeth
Flower type in flower heads
the flower head has tubular disk flowers in the center and ray flowers, these often strap-shaped, around the periphery
Ray flower color
  • blue to purple
  • pink to red
  • white
Tuft or plume on fruit
at least a part of the plume is made up of fine bristles
Spines on plant
the plant has no spines
Leaf blade length
13–200 mm
Disk flower number
  • 21-50
  • more than 50
Show all characteristics

  • Flowers

    Bases of bract appendages
    NA
    Bract color
    the bracts are not colored or tinged with pink, red or purple
    Bract cycle number
    there are three or more cycles of bracts
    Bract inner side hairs
    the bracts are not hairy on their inner surfaces
    Bract keels
    the bracts do not have keels
    Bract margins
    there are fine hairs along the bract margins
    Bract outer side hair type
    the bracts are not hairy on their outer surface
    Bract outer side hairs
    the bracts are not hairy on their outer surfaces
    Bract separation
    the bracts appear completely unconnected to one another on all flower heads
    Bract shape
    • the main bracts are lanceolate (widest above the base, then taper narrowly towards the tip)
    • the main bracts are linear (long and very narrow)
    • the main bracts are oblanceolate (widest near the tip, but otherwise narrow and tapering)
    • the main bracts are oblong (roughly rectangular but rounded at the ends)
    Bract spines
    the bracts have no spines
    Bract texture
    the bracts have a similar texture to a leaf
    Bract tip color
    • the tips are a different color from the center of the bract
    • the tips are the same color as the center of the bract
    Bract tip extension appearance
    NA
    Bract tip extension edge
    there are no projections from the bract tips
    Bract tip orientation
    • the bracts are pressed against the plant, or spreading out at the tips
    • the tips of the bracts curve outwards and downwards from the plant
    Bract tip shape
    • the tips of the bracts acute (have a sharp point)
    • the tips of the bracts are acuminate (tapered to a narrow point)
    • the tips of the bracts are obtuse (have a blunt point)
    Bracts
    • the bracts in separate cycles are similar or gradually changing from the outer to inner cycles
    • there are at least two distinct forms of bracts in different cycles
    Disk flower color
    • blue to purple
    • green to brown
    • pink to red
    • yellow
    Disk flower lobe number
    5
    Disk flower number
    • 21-50
    • more than 50
    Disk flower proportions
    16-30%
    Disk flower reproductive parts
    the disk flower has both pollen- and seed-producing parts
    Disk flower shape
    the disk flower is tube-shaped (cylindrical), or gradually widening like a funnel
    Flower head number
    each flowering stem has four or more flower heads on it
    Flower head outer flowers
    at the outer edge of the flower head, each flower has a single enlarged lobe or strap
    Flower head platform
    NA
    Flower head platform surface
    NA
    Flower head position
    each of the flower heads is separate on its own peduncle (stalk), not clustered in groups
    Flower head profile
    the disk is flat or nearly flat across the top
    Flower head shape
    the flower head is hemispherical (like the bottom half of a sphere)
    Flower type in flower heads
    the flower head has tubular disk flowers in the center and ray flowers, these often strap-shaped, around the periphery
    Height of flower head base
    6–9 mm
    Inflorescence branching (Solidago)
    NA
    Inflorescence shape
    the inflorescence is not flat-topped but appears rounded, with some flower heads distinctly higher than others
    Inflorescence stem
    hairs are present on the stem of the inflorescence
    Ovary attachment
    the ovary is attached at or near the base
    Ovary beak
    there is no beak on the ovary
    Ovary cross-section
    the ovary is compressed (flattened)
    Ovary hair type
    • the ovary has hairs on it, but the hairs have no glands
    • the ovary has no hairs on it
    Ovary hairs
    • the ovary has hairs on it
    • the ovary has no hairs on it
    Ovary lines or ribs
    there are four to six lines or ribs visible on the ovary
    Ovary profile
    • in profile, the ovary is roughly egg-shaped, but widest above the middle
    • in profile, the ovary is roughly elliptical (widest in the middle, tapering to both ends)
    Ovary surface
    the ovary surface has no points, bumps or wrinkles, though it may have lines, ribs or wings
    Ovary wing number
    • 0
    • NA
    Peduncle hair type
    • NA
    • the hairs on the peduncles are simple (not branched), don’t have glands, and are not woolly
    Peduncle hairs
    • the peduncles are hairy
    • the peduncles have no hairs
    Peduncle length
    4–41 mm
    Peduncle orientation
    the flower heads are held upright, or slightly angled outwards
    Ray flower color
    • blue to purple
    • pink to red
    • white
    Ray flower reproductive parts
    the ray flowers have carpels or stamens, but not both
    Ray flowers
    • 11-15
    • 16-25
    • 26-50
    Ray length
    6–19 mm
    Reproductive system
    some of the flowers on the plant have only carpels or stamens, while others have both carpels and stamens
    Rim at top of ovary
    the central flowers have no disk-shaped platform above the ovary
    Scale tip
    NA
    Smaller bracts at base of bracts
    there is no smaller, outer cycle of bracts
    Style branch number
    the style has two branches
    Style branches
    the style branch is narrow at the tip, or the style branches are narrow at the tips
    Width of flower head base
    8–15 mm

  • Fruits or seeds

    Dispersal unit
    the seeds fall off or are dispersed separately from one another
    Number of pappus parts
    11 or more
    Ovary beak length
    0 mm
    Ovary length in developed fruit
    2–4 mm
    Seed hair tuft bases
    the pappus hairs are not attached to one another near the base
    Seed hair tuft color
    the pappus hairs are white or off-white
    Seed hair tuft details
    the pappus hairs are hooked or barbed
    Seed hair tuft length
    4–6 mm
    Seed hair tuft tips
    the pappus hairs are slender
    Seed hairs uniform
    all the pappus hairs are approximately the same length
    Seed tuft scale number
    0
    Seed tuft type
    the pappus is made of very fine hairs or bristles
    Top of disk flower ovary
    NA
    Tuft or plume on fruit
    at least a part of the plume is made up of fine bristles

  • Glands or sap

    Bract resin
    the bracts have no resin or resin glands
    Leaf blade glands
    the leaf blades have no glandular (translucent) dots or scales
    Ovary glands
    there are no visible glands on the ovary
    Sap
    the sap is clear and watery

  • Growth form

    Growth form
    the plant has one or more free-standing stems
    Horizontal rooting stem
    there are no stolons
    Plant lifespan
    the plant is perennial, it shows evidence of previous year's leaves, stems or stem bases
    Spines on plant
    the plant has no spines
    Underground organs
    the plant has a rhizome (a horizontal underground stem with roots growing from it)

  • Leaves

    Final leaf segment length (compound lvs only)
    0 mm
    Final leaf segment width (compound lvs only)
    0 mm
    Hairs on underside of leaf blade
    • the underside of the leaf is fuzzy or hairy
    • the underside of the leaf is not hairy, or has very few hairs
    Hairs on upper side of leaf blade
    • the upper side of the leaf is fuzzy or hairy
    • the upper side of the leaf is not hairy, or has very few hairs
    Leaf arrangement
    alternate: there is one leaf per node along the stem
    Leaf blade base
    • the leaf has a distinct petiole
    • the leaf has no petiole
    • the leaf has no petiole and at the base it clasps the stem, or goes all the way around the stem so the stem appears to pierce the leaf
    Leaf blade base shape
    • the base of the leaf blade is cuneate (wedge-shaped, tapers to the base with relatively straight, converging edges), or narrow
    • the base of the leaf blade is rounded
    Leaf blade bloom
    the underside of the leaf has no noticeable bloom
    Leaf blade edges
    • the edge of the leaf blade has no teeth or lobes
    • the edge of the leaf blade has teeth
    Leaf blade flatness
    the leaf is flat (planar) at the edges
    Leaf blade hairs
    NA
    Leaf blade length
    13–200 mm
    Leaf blade shape
    • the leaf blade is elliptic (widest near the middle and tapering at both ends)
    • the leaf blade is lanceolate (lance-shaped; widest below the middle and tapering at both ends)
    • the leaf blade is linear (very narrow with more or less parallel sides)
    • the leaf blade is oblanceolate (lance-shaped, but with the widest point above the middle of the leaf blade)
    • the leaf blade is oblong (rectangular but with rounded ends)
    • the leaf blade is ovate (widest below the middle and broadly tapering at both ends)
    Leaf blade surface colors
    there is no noticeable color variation on the upper surface of the leaf
    Leaf blade tip
    • the tip of the leaf blade is acuminate (tapers to a long, thin point)
    • the tip of the leaf blade is acute (sharply pointed)
    • the tip of the leaf blade is obtuse (bluntly pointed)
    Leaf blade veins
    the leaf blade has one main vein running from the base towards the tip
    Leaf blade width
    3–40 mm
    Leaf disposition
    the leaves are nearly similar in size, prominence of teeth, and length of stalks throughout the stem
    Leaf spines
    there are no spines on the leaf edges
    Leaf stalk
    • the leaves have leaf stalks
    • the leaves have no leaf stalks, but attach directly to the stem
    Leaf stalk length
    At least 0 mm
    Leaf tip extension
    NA
    Leaf tufts in axils
    there are clusters of smaller leaves growing out of axils
    Leaf type
    leaves are simple (i.e., lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets)
    Leaflet number
    0
    Specific leaf type
    the leaves are simple (i.e., lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets
    Teeth per side of leaf blade
    At least 0

  • Place

    Habitat
    • terrestrial
    • wetlands
    New England state
    • Connecticut
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
    • New Hampshire
    • Rhode Island
    • Vermont
    Specific habitat
    • brackish or salt marshes and flats
    • edges of forests
    • marshes
    • meadows or fields
    • shores of rivers or lakes

  • Scent

    Plant odor
    the plant does not have much of an odor

  • Stem, shoot, branch

    Flowering stem cross-section
    the flowering stem is circular, or with lots of small angles
    Leaves on stem
    there is at least one full leaf above the base of the flowering stem
    Stem bloom
    • the stem has a powdery or waxy film on it that can be rubbed away
    • there is no powdery or waxy film on the stem
    Stem internode hair direction
    NA
    Stem internode hair length
    0 mm
    Stem internode hair type
    the stem has no hairs between the nodes
    Stem internode hairs
    • the stem has hairs between the nodes
    • the stem has no hairs between the nodes
    Stem wings
    the stem does not have wings on it

Wetland status

Usually occurs in wetlands, but occasionally in non-wetlands. (Wetland indicator code: FACW)

In New England

Distribution

Connecticut
present
Maine
present
Massachusetts
present
New Hampshire
present
Rhode Island
present
Vermont
present

Conservation status

Exact status definitions can vary from state to state. For details, please check with your state.

var. elodes

Massachusetts
fairly widespread (S-rank: S4)

var. novi-belgii

Massachusetts
widespread (S-rank: S5)

Subspecies and varieties

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii var. elodes (Torr. & Gray) Nesom is known from CT, MA, ME, RI.S. novi-belgii (L.) Nesom var. novi-belgii is known from CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT. S. novi-belgii var. villicaule (Gray) Lebrecque & Brouillet is known from ME, usually on rocky river shores.

From Flora Novae Angliae dichotomous key

15.  Symphyotrichum novi-belgii (L.) Nesom N

New York American-aster. 15a. Aster elodes Torr. & Gray; A. novi-belgii L. var. elodes (Torr. & Gray) Gray;  15b. Aster johannensis Fern.; A. longifolius Lam.; A. novi-belgii L.; A. novi-belgii L. ssp. johannensis (Fern.) A.G. Jones; A. novi-belgii L. var. johannensis (Fern.) A.G. Jones;  
15c. Aster johannensis Fern. var. villicaulis (Gray) Fern.; A. novi-belgii L. var. villicaulis (Gray) Boivin • CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT. Saltmarshes and open places near the coast, fields and forest edges, riparian and lacustrine shorelines, rarely ascending to high elevation in northern New England. Plants from New England determined as Aster crenifolius and A. foliaceus in regional herbaria represent (in part) environmental forms of Symphyotrichum novi-belgii with elongate, foliaceous outer involucral bracts. Symphyotrichum novi-belgii var. litoreum (Gray) Nesom represents a set of brackish marsh plants with thick, broad blades (relative to length). These have been considered to be the hybrid of S. laeve and S. praealtum (Labrecque and Brouillet 1996); however, this combination does not explain the coastal marsh habitat and foliaceous involucral bracts. The identity of these plants is still in question.

1a.  Leaf blades narrow-lanceolate, 10–25 times as long as wide, the larger blades 4–12 mm wide, barely clasping at the base … 15a. S. novi-belgii var. elodes (Torr. & Gray) Nesom

1b.  Leaf blades oblanceolate to narrow-ovate to oblong, (5–) 7–9 times as long as wide, the larger blades (6.5–)9–20(–25) wide, usually clasping at the base

2a.  Stems glabrous to sparsely pubescent; plants widespread, though most frequent in the coastal region … 15b. S. novi‑belgii var. novi-belgii

2b.  Stems conspicuously pubescent; plants mostly of inland river shores 
… 15c. S. novi‑belgii var. villicaule (Gray) Lebrecque & Brouillet

Variety elodes is known from CT, MA, ME, RI; also reported from NH and VT by Seymour (1982), but specimens are unknown. Variety novi-belgii is known from CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT. Both of these varieties are found in open, coastal, near coastal, and inland natural communities (river banks, fens, boggy shorelines, marsh edges). Variety villicaule is known from ME, VT. It is usually found on rocky shorelines of rivers.

6×15. Symphyotrichum cordifolium × Symphyotrichum novi-belgii → This very rare American-aster hybrid is known from VT. It has adaxially scabrous lower leaves with rounded leaf blade bases that are abruptly contracted to a winged petiole. The capitula have blue rays with wider involucral bracts 0.7–1 mm wide that have a pronounced apical green zone, this sometimes representing 50% of more of the bract length (i.e., some involucral bracts are somewhat foliaceous).

Native to North America?

Yes

Sometimes confused with

Symphyotrichum anticostense:
leaf blades tending to be narrow-lanceolate, scarcely narrowing to the base, folded along the midrib, coriaceous, and many peduncles longer than 3 cm (vs. S. novi-belgii, with leaf blades narrow-lanceolate to oblanceolate, narrowing to the base, flat, herbaceous to fleshy, and most peduncles shorter than 3 cm).
Symphyotrichum puniceum:
involucral bracts long-tapering at the apex and lower portion of stem hairy with stiff, spreading hairs (vs. S. novi-belgii, with involucral bracts pointed at the apex but not long tapering and lower portion of stem hairy or not, but the hairs not both stiff and spreading).

Synonyms

  • Aster longifolius Lam.
  • Aster novi-belgii L.

Family

Asteraceae

Genus

Symphyotrichum