Michaelmas daisy (Symphyotrichum lanceolatum, Phytologia 77(3): 284 (1995))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: (Willd.) G.L.Nesom

Bibliography: Phytologia 77(3): 284 (1995)

Year: 1995

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Symphyotrichum

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. America to N. Mexico

Description

The Michaelmas daisy is a beautiful and resilient flowering plant, scientifically known as Symphyotrichum lanceolatum. This species was formally described in 1995 in Phytologia, a reputable botanical journal, emphasizing its established presence and taxonomic importance. The species epithet and authority, accredited to (Willd.) G.L.Nesom, acknowledge the contributions of both the initial classifier and the scholar who placed it in its current genus.

Belonging to the family Asteraceae, the Michaelmas daisy is part of a large and diverse family of flowering plants often recognized for their composite flower heads, which are actually collections of many small florets. This family includes many ornamental and economically significant plants, making Symphyotrichum lanceolatum a notable member due to its widespread appeal and ecological role.

Native to North America, the Michaelmas daisy thrives across various habitats from the northern regions of the continent down to Mexico. Its broad geographical distribution is a testament to its adaptability and hardiness. This plant is beloved in gardens for its late-season blooms, often flowering around Michaelmas Day in late September, hence its common name. Its blossoms, typically in shades of blue, purple, or white with yellow centers, provide a crucial source of nectar for pollinators, especially in the autumn months when other flowers are few.

Whether in the wilds of North America or cultivated in gardens, the Michaelmas daisy is appreciated for its aesthetic charm and ecological benefits. Its ability to enhance biodiversity, combined with its striking appearance, makes Symphyotrichum lanceolatum a valuable and cherished plant.

Common Names

Eng: eastern line aster, lance-leaf aster, michaelmas daisy, narrow-leaf michaelmas daisy, panicled aster, tall white aster, white panicle aster, white-panicle aster, white panicled aster, lance-leaved aster
Deu: lanzettblättrige staudenaster
Fra: aster lancéolé, aster simple
Nld: smalle aster
Swe: lansettaster, smalaster
En: Michaelmas daisy, Eastern line aster, Lance-leaf aster, Narrow-leaf Michaelmas daisy, Panicled aster, Tall white aster, White panicle aster, White-panicle aster, White panicled aster, Lance-leaved aster, Narrow-leaved Michaelmas-daisy
Nl: Smalle aster
Fr: Aster lancéolé, Aster simple, Aster à feuilles lancéolées
De: Lanzettblättrige Staudenaster, Kleinblütige Aster, Lanzett-Aster, Lanzettblättrige Aster
It: Astro di Tradescant
Sv: Lansettaster, Smalaster

Synonyms

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Nov 19, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 16, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by Hans Maasdam (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 28, 2019 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2021 by Jean-Michel Coget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2019 by Pietro Brignoli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2021 by kevin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Domenico Saraceno (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 11, 2019 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 16, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2021 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 27, 2022 by Else Nolden (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2019 by Eli Small (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2021 by Elijah Jay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Oct 18, 2020 by Sibylle Kalmbach (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2019 by Tela Botanica − José Luis Romero Rego (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2022 by Alex Middelburg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2022 by Francois ROBIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 9, 2021 by Martin Lukac (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/9202318)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:981841-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Willd.) G.L.Nesom)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 8