Symphyotrichum pygmaeum (formerly Eurybia pygmaea and Aster pygmaeus) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Commonly known as pygmy aster, it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach heights of 1.5 to 15 centimeters (1⁄2 to 6 inches). Its summer-blooming flowers have purple to violet ray florets and yellow disk florets.[4]

Symphyotrichum pygmaeum
Conservation status
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Tribe:	Astereae
Subtribe:	Symphyotrichinae
Genus:	Symphyotrichum
Subgenus:	Symphyotrichum subg. Virgulus
Section:	Symphyotrichum sect. Grandiflori
Species:	S. pygmaeum
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum pygmaeum (Lindl.) Brouillet & Selliah[2]
Native distribution[3]
Synonyms[2]
Aster pygmaeus Lindl. Aster sibiricus subsp. pygmaeus (Lindl.) Á.Löve & D.Löve Aster sibiricus var. pygmaeus (Lindl.) Cody Eurybia pygmaea (Lindl.) G.L.Nesom

S. pygmaeum is native to north Alaska, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, and it grows at up to 200 meters (660 feet) or more above sea level in moist sand dunes, sandy or silty stream banks, gravelly tundra, and similar habitats.[4]

As of October 2022^[update], it was classified in NatureServe (as Eurybia pygmaea) as Apparently Secure (G4) globally; Apparently Secure (S4) in Northwest Territories and Nunavut; and, Imperiled (S2) in Alaska. Its global status was last reviewed by NatureServe on 23 June 2016. Several known locations of the plant, especially in Alaska, are near oil field developments, increasing the potential threat to its survival in those areas. "The sand and gravel sites favored by this species are... prized for material sites by mineral and oil exploration and development companies."[1]

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References

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