Symphyotrichum cordifolium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Symphyotrichum cordifolium |
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| Heartleaf aster | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Symphyotrichum
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| Species: |
cordifolium
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Symphyotrichum cordifolium (formerly Aster cordifolius), commonly known as common blue wood aster, blue wood-aster or heartleaf aster, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Asteraceae native to eastern North America.
Description
Symphyotrichum cordifolium reaches heights of up to 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in). The lower leaves are heart-shaped, while leaves higher up on the stem tend to be sessile with more rounded bases. The composite flowers, which have bluish to rarely white ray florets and light yellow disc florets that eventually turn purple, emerge in August and persist into October.
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Symphyotrichum cordifolium leaves
Where its range overlaps with that of Symphyotrichum puniceum hybrids sometimes occur, which are named Symphyotrichum × tardiflorum.
Distribution and habitat
Symphyotrichum cordifolium occurs from Manitoba east to Nova Scotia and Maine, south to Georgia and Alabama and west to Oklahoma. It grows primarily in mesic sites with soils that are rocky to loamy, but generally rich, at heights ranging from sea level along the coastal plain up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) in the Appalachians. It can be found on open wooded slopes, along the banks of streams, on moist ledges, in swampy woods, along the borders of beech–maple and oak–hickory forests, as well as in clearings, thickets and along roadsides and ditches. It can also be found in urban areas where it is sometimes a weed species.
Uses
Medicinal
The Ojibwe have used S. cordifolium to make an incense to attract deer.
Gardening
Symphyotrichum cordifolium is cultivated as a garden plant under its current name and the older name Aster cordifolius. Several cultivars have been selected for garden use, and the following have achieved the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:
- 'Chieftain' has "light mauve-blue ray florets."
- 'Little Carlow' (S. cordifolium hybrid) with "abundant violet-blue" rays.
- ‘Photograph’ (S. cordifolium hybrid) has "pale lilac-blue flowers."
- 'Sweet Lavender' with "lavender-blue flowers."
