Symphyotrichum prenanthoides explained
Symphyotrichum prenanthoides (formerly Aster prenanthoides) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name crookedstem aster. It is native to northcentral and northeastern North America.
This rhizomatous perennial herb produces colonies of plants with stems that may exceed 1m (03feet) in length. These stems grow upright to erect and may be crooked or nearly straight, often becoming thick and purple with age. The leaves vary in size and shape. The flower heads are borne in branching arrays on purplish stems. The ray florets are lavender or blue in color, or sometimes white. There are up to 30 ray florets measuring up to 15mm in length. At the center are disk florets in shades of cream and yellow to purple or brown.
This plant grows in many habitats, including woody and marshy areas as well as roadsides.
Conservation
It is a special concern species in Connecticut, where it is believed to be extirpated.
Uses
The Iroquois use this plant medicinally to treat fevers in babies and for other ailments.
References
- Astereae. 20. 2006. Brouillet . L. . Luc Brouillet. Semple . J.C. . John C. Semple. Allen . G.A. . Geraldine A. Allen. Chambers . K.L. . Kenton Lee Chambers. Sundberg . S.D. . Scott D. Sundberg. 6 July 2021.
- Web site: CT DEEP. 2015. Connecticut's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species 2015. State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources. dead. 27 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170127062017/http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/nongame/ets15.pdf. 2 January 2017. This list is newer than the one used by plants.usda.gov and is more up-to-date..
- Web site: NatureServe . NatureServe. 4 June 2021. Symphyotrichum prenanthoides - Crooked-stem Aster . NatureServe Explorer (explorer.natureserve.org) . NatureServe . Arlington, Virginia. 21 June 2021.
- Web site: POWO . Plants of the World Online. 2021 . Symphyotrichum prenanthoides (Muhl. ex Willd.) G.L.Nesom . Plants of the World Online (powo.science.kew.org) . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 24 August 2021.
- Web site: University of Michigan. n.d.. Symphyotrichum prenanthoides search. Native American Ethnobotany DB. 6 July 2021.
- . 2014. SYPR6. Symphyotrichum prenanthoides. USDA PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). 21 June 2021.