Symphyotrichum falcatum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White prairie aster |
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The Symphyotrichum falcatum, also known as the white prairie aster or western heath aster, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the large family of plants called asters. This plant grows naturally across a wide area of central and western North America.
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What's in a Name?
The Symphyotrichum falcatum has several common names. These include white prairie aster and western heath aster. People also call it the creeping white prairie aster, falcate aster, and little grey aster. In French, it is known as aster en faux.
One special type of this plant, called S. falcatum var. commutatum, has its own common names. These are white prairie aster, western heath aster, and little grey aster. It's also known as cluster aster and aster changeant in French.
How Scientists Classify Plants
Scientists use a system called taxonomy to group and name all living things. This helps them understand how different plants are related.
The Symphyotrichum falcatum is part of a group called Symphyotrichum sect. Ericoidei. The only other plant in this specific group is the Symphyotrichum ericoides.
Long ago, many plants, including the Symphyotrichum falcatum, were all put into a single large group called Aster. But scientists later found that these plants weren't all as closely related as they first thought. To make the groups more accurate, they moved many North American asters into new groups, like Symphyotrichum.
The first official description of this plant was made in 1834 by a scientist named John Lindley. He first named it Aster falcatus.
Different Types of White Prairie Aster
There are two main types, or varieties, of Symphyotrichum falcatum:
- Symphyotrichum falcatum var. falcatum: This type grows in clumps. It can have up to ten stems growing from its base.
- Symphyotrichum falcatum var. commutatum: This type spreads out. Its stems grow from underground stems called rhizomes.
Protecting the Plant
Organizations like NatureServe keep track of how safe different plant species are. They list the Symphyotrichum falcatum as "Secure" worldwide. This means it's generally doing well.
However, its status can be different in various places. For example, it is "Critically Imperiled" in Alaska, meaning it's in great danger there. It's "Vulnerable" in Yukon and might have disappeared from Iowa. In places like Ontario, Missouri, and Massachusetts, it's considered an "exotic species," meaning it's not native to those areas.
Traditional Uses
The Zuni people, a Native American tribe, have traditionally used the commutatum variety of this plant. They would grind the blossoms and mix them with yucca suds. They used this mixture to wash newborn babies. They believed it would help the babies' hair grow and make them stronger.
