White heath aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides, Phytologia 77(3): 280 (1995))

Family: Asteraceae

Author: (L.) G.L.Nesom

Bibliography: Phytologia 77(3): 280 (1995)

Year: 1995

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Symphyotrichum

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. Canada to Mexico

Description

The White Heath Aster, scientifically known as Symphyotrichum ericoides, is a prominent species in the Asteraceae family. This delightful perennial herb is widely recognized for its delicate and radiant white flowers that bring a touch of elegance to its natural habitat.

Native to a broad range from central and eastern Canada stretching all the way to Mexico, the White Heath Aster showcases remarkable adaptability to diverse climatic conditions. The versatility and resilience of this plant make it a frequent subject of ecological and botanical studies, shedding light on its potential benefits for horticulture and natural landscaping.

The plant typically blooms in late summer to fall, transforming meadows, prairies, and roadside landscapes into picturesque scenes with its prolific clusters of flowers. Each flower typically measures about half an inch across, featuring a yellow central disk surrounded by numerous narrow white petals. This characteristic flower structure not only adds aesthetic value but also attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, contributing to the biodiversity and health of the ecosystem.

Symphyotrichum ericoides thrives in well-drained sandy soils and is known for its hardiness in sunny locations. The foliage of the White Heath Aster consists of small, needle-like leaves that are densely packed along its branching stems. Though seemingly modest, these leaves are integral in supporting the plant’s drought resistance, allowing it to flourish in less-than-ideal water conditions.

The taxonomy and nomenclatural history of the White Heath Aster were concisely detailed by G.L. Nesom in Phytologia (1995), providing a comprehensive understanding of its classification within the plant kingdom. Nesom’s authoritative description underscores the importance of this species both scientifically and ecologically.

In summary, the White Heath Aster (Symphyotrichum ericoides) stands out not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its ecological significance across a broad geographic range. Its ability to thrive in diverse environments and its role in supporting pollinators make it a vital species within the Asteraceae family, warranting further appreciation and study.

Common Names

Eng: dense-flower aster, elongate aster, heath aster, many-flower aster, squarrose white aster, tufted white prairie aster, white aster, white heath aster, white prairie aster, white-wreath aster, wreath aster
Deu: erika-aster, myrten-aster, myrten-herbstaster
Dan: lyng-asters
Fra: aster éricoïde
Swe: ljungaster
En: White heath aster, Dense-flower aster, Elongate aster, Heath aster, Many-flower aster, Squarrose white aster, Tufted white prairie aster, White aster, White prairie aster, White-wreath aster, Wreath aster
Da: Lyng-asters
Fr: Aster éricoïde, Aster fausse bruyère
De: Erika-Aster, Myrten-Aster, Myrten-Herbstaster, Myrtenaster
Sv: Ljungaster

Synonyms

• Aster ericoides (L.)
• Virgulus ericoides ((L.) Reveal & Keener)
• Lasallea ericoides ((L.) Semple & Brouillet)

Distribution

• Alberta (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Sep 23, 2020 by lucia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

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

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

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

Bark

Taken Sep 27, 2020 by kawkay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 1, 2022 by A H (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2020 by Evelina van der Starre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2020 by Systa Baade (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2020 by Systa Baade (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 22, 2020 by Nona Harris (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2020 by Tomasz Koliński (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2022 by Anna Serra-Peralta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2020 by Systa Baade (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2020 by Systa Baade (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3151535)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:981811-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Symphyotrichum ericoides (L.) G.L.Nesom)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth