Family: Asteraceae
Author: (L.) G.L.Nesom
Bibliography: Phytologia 77: 278 (1995)
Year: 1995
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Symphyotrichum
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: C. & E. Canada to NC. & E. U.S.A.
Description
Heartleaf or Common Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium)
The Heartleaf, also known as the Common Blue Wood Aster, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. This plant is renowned for its delicate, heart-shaped leaves and clusters of small, star-shaped flowers that typically exhibit a soft blue to lavender hue.
Description
The plant features slender, erect stems that can reach heights of about 1 to 3 feet. The foliage is characterized by its distinctive heart-shaped leaves, which taper to a point and have serrated edges. These leaves are arranged alternately along the stem and provide an attractive, dense foliage cover.
The flowering period for the Heartleaf Aster is from late summer to fall. During this time, it produces numerous flower heads composed of pale blue to lavender ray florets surrounding a central disc of yellow florets. These flowers are often visited by a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making this plant an excellent addition to any garden designed to support local wildlife.
Habitat and Distribution
Symphyotrichum cordifolium is native to a broad range extending across Central and Eastern Canada down through North-Central and Eastern United States. This geographic spread indicates the plant’s adaptability to various conditions, thriving in both shaded woodlands and open habitats.
Ecology
In its natural habitat, the Heartleaf Aster is often found in woodlands, forest edges, and clearings. It prefers rich, moist soils but can tolerate a variety of soil types as long as there is adequate drainage. This adaptability makes it a resilient plant in the wild, able to withstand different environmental conditions.
Cultivation and Uses
Gardeners appreciate Symphyotrichum cordifolium for its hardiness and low maintenance requirements. It can be easily grown in garden settings either in full sun or partial shade, making it versatile for various landscaping needs. Additionally, its autumnal bloom period provides late-season color when many other plants have already finished flowering.
Conclusion
The Heartleaf Aster is a charming and robust species with both ecological and ornamental value. Its adaptability, attractive flowers, and importance to pollinators make it a worthy addition to native plant gardens and naturalized landscapes. For those looking to cultivate a plant that supports wildlife and adds beauty to their garden, Symphyotrichum cordifolium is an excellent choice.
Reference: Phytologia 77: 278 (1995)
Common Names
Eng: beeweed, blue wood aster, common blue heart-leaf aster, common blue wood aster, heart-leaf aster, heartleaf or common blue wood aster, heart-leaved aster
Deu: herzblatt-herbstaster, herzblättrige aster, blaue wald-aster, blaue wald-aster
Fra: aster cordifolié, aster à feuilles cordées
Swe: hjärtaster
En: Heartleaf or common blue wood aster, Beeweed, Blue wood aster, Common blue heart-leaf aster, Common blue wood aster, Heart-leaf aster, Heart-leaved aster
Fr: Aster cordifolié, Aster à feuilles cordées
De: Herzblatt-Herbstaster, Herzblättrige Aster, Blaue Wald-Aster, Blaue Wald-Aster
Sv: Hjärtaster
Synonyms
- Aster sagittifolius (Wedem. ex Willd.)
- Aster heterophyllus (Willd.)
- Aster leiophyllus (Porter)
- Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. furbishiae ((Fernald) G.L.Nesom)
- Aster cordifolius (L.)
- Aster lowrieanus var. lancifolius (Porter)
- Aster lowrieanus var. lanceolatus (Porter)
- Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. lanceolatum ((Porter) G.L.Nesom)
- Aster lowrieanus var. incisus (Porter)
- Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. racemiflorum ((Fernald) G.L.Nesom)
- Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. moratum ((Shinners) G.L.Nesom)
- Aster plumarius (E.S.Burgess)
- Symphyotrichum cordifolium var. polycephalum ((Porter) G.L.Nesom)
- Aster heterophyllus var. glabriusculus (DC.)
- Aster heterophyllus var. scaber (DC.)
- Aster finkii var. moratus (Shinners)
- Aster cordifolius var. laevigatus (Porter)
- Aster cordifolius var. incisus (Britton)
- Leiachenis cordifolia (Raf.)
- Solidago cordifolia (Moench)
- Aster cordifolius var. glabratus (Hollick & Britton)
- Aster cordifolius var. furbishiae (Fernald)
- Symphyotrichum sagittifolium ((Wedem. ex Willd.) G.L.Nesom)
- Aster cordifolius var. alvearius (E.S.Burgess)
- Symphyotrichum lowrieanum ((Porter) G.L.Nesom)
- Aster cordifolius var. polycephalus (Porter)
- Aster sagittifolius f. albiflorus (Moldenke)
- Aster cordifolius var. pedicellatus (E.S.Burgess)
- Aster cordifolius var. moratus (Shinners)
- Aster cordifolius var. lanceolatus (Porter)
- Aster cordifolius subsp. laevigatus ((Porter) A.G.Jones)
- Aster pallidulus (B.Vogel)
- Aster cordifolius var. racemiflorus (Fernald)
- Aster cordifolius var. sagittifolius ((Willd.) A.G.Jones)
- Aster lowrieanus var. bicknellii (Porter)
- Aster lowrieanus (Porter)
- Aster leiophyllus var. lanceolatus (Porter)
- Aster leiophyllus var. incisus (Porter)
- Aster cordifolius subsp. sagittifolius ((Wedem. ex Willd.) A.G.Jones)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Norway (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Bruno (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 12, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2020 by Isabelle Marais (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 12, 2022 by Fil Der (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 18, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Oct 7, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 26, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Mariusz Staniszewski (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 12, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Sep 30, 2022 by Esuma (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2020 by jim (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Mariusz Staniszewski (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 9, 2021 by k sch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Oct 7, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Oct 11, 2022 by yvon s (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3151421)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:981790-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Symphyotrichum cordifolium (L.) G.L.Nesom)