Symphyotrichum subulatum (formerly Aster subulatus), commonly known as eastern annual saltmarsh aster or, in Britain and Ireland where it is naturalized, annual saltmarsh aster,[7] is an annual plant in the family Asteraceae native to the eastern United States and the Gulf Coast to Texas.[8] The species grows primarily in coastal salt marshes, although in the Ozarks it occurs as a non-marine weedy variety.[9]

Symphyotrichum subulatum
Symphyotrichum subulatum var. subulatum
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
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. Astropolium
Species:	S. subulatum
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G.L.Nesom[3]
Varieties[3]
List S. subulatum var. subulatum S. subulatum var. elongatum (Boss. ex A.G.Jones & Lowry) S.D.Sundb. S. subulatum var. squamatum (Spreng.) S.D.Sundb.
Combined native distribution[3]
Synonyms[3]
Basionym Aster subulatus Michx. Varieties var. subulatum[4] Aster exilis var. australis A.Gray Aster exilis f. subalpinus R.E.Fr. Aster flexicaulis Raf. Aster linifolius Torr. & A.Gray Aster subulatus var. australis (A.Gray) Shinners Aster subulatus var. euroauster Fernald & Griscom Aster subulatus var. obtusifolius Fernald Chrysocoma linifolia Steud. Erigeron linifolius Bertero ex DC. Mesoligus subulatus Raf. Tripolium subulatum Nees var. elongatum[5] Aster bahamensis Britton Aster subulatus var. elongatus Boss. ex A.G.Jones & Lowry Symphyotrichum bahamense (Britton) G.L.Nesom var. squamatum[6] Aster asteroides Rusby Aster bangii Rusby Aster barcinonensis Sennen Aster moelleri Reiche Aster pseudobarcincnensis Sennen Aster sandwicensis (A.Gray ex H.Mann) Hieron. Aster squamatus (Spreng.) Hieron. Aster squamatus var. tripolioides (Phil.) Hieron. Aster subtropicus Morong Aster subulatus var. sandwicensis (A.Gray ex H.Mann) A.G.Jones Baccharis asteroides Colla Carphephorus junceus Durand Conyza berteroana Phil. Conyza squamata Spreng. Conyzanthus squamatus (Spreng.) Tamamsch. Erigeron depilis Phil. Erigeron semiamplexicaulis Meyen Erigeron tripolioides Phil. Symphyotrichum squamatum (Spreng.) G.L.Nesom Tripolium conspicuum Lindl. ex DC. Tripolium imbricatum Nutt. Tripolium moelleri Phil. Tripolium oliganthum Phil. Tripolium subulatum var. brasilianum DC.

Description

Symphyotrichum subulatum is an annual forb that possesses a single erect stem that can reach up to 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) in height. The stem, along with its thin green to dark green leaves, are both hairless. The sheathing base-blades of the leaves are ovulate, and the margins are entire.[10]

The top of the stem extends into a raceme inflorescence. The heads open up into bright yellow disc florets that are surrounded by ray florets that vary in color from white to lavender.[11]

• 
  S. subulatum
• 
  S. subulatum base
• 
  S. subulatum stem and leaves

Taxonomy

The species' full scientific name is Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G.L.Nesom. As of December 2021^[update], three varieties of S. subulatum were accepted by Plants of the World Online (POWO), with S. subulatum var. subulatum as the autonym:[3]

• S. subulatum var. subulatum[4]
• S. subulatum var. elongatum (Boss. ex A.G.Jones & Lowry) S.D.Sundb.[5]
• S. subulatum var. squamatum (Spreng.) S.D.Sundb.[6]

The varieties S. subulatum var. ligulatum (Shinners) S.D.Sundb. and S. s. var. parviflorum (Nees) S.D.Sundb., as of December 2021^[update], are accepted at the species level by POWO as Symphyotrichum divaricatum (Nutt.) G.L.Nesom[12] and Symphyotrichum expansum (Poepp. ex Spreng.) G.L.Nesom,[13] respectively. As of December 2021^[update], S. s. var. parviflorum (Nees) S.D.Sundb. is accepted at the species level by Catalogue of Life (COL) as Symphyotrichum parviflorum.[14]

Distribution and habitat

Symphyotrichum subulatum is a terrestrial species that will typically grow among grasses of any kind.[10] It is found in salt marshes, pond margins, sloughs, swamps, crop field margins, lawns, and roadsides. It is thought to be especially prevalent in these areas because of a tolerance to saline soils and mowing.[15] It is native to the eastern and Gulf Coast areas of the United States. It is also common across Mexico, the West Indies, Bermuda, Central America, and South America, depending on variety.[11]

Uses

According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, eastern annual saltmarsh aster can be planted to attract butterflies and has value for native bees.[16]

Citations

References