Symphyotrichum prenanthoides

Symphyotrichum prenanthoides (formerly Aster prenanthoides) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name crookedstem aster.^[3] It is native to northcentral and northeastern North America.^[1]

Symphyotrichum prenanthoides
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. Symphyotrichum
Section:	Symphyotrichum sect. Symphyotrichum
Species:	S. prenanthoides
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum prenanthoides (Muhl. ex Willd.) G.L.Nesom[2]
Native distribution[2]
Synonyms[2]
Basionym Aster prenanthoides Muhl. ex Willd. Alphabetical list Aster prenanthoides var. diffusifolius Peck Aster prenanthoides var. longifolius Porter Aster prenanthoides f. milwaukeensis Benke Aster prenanthoides var. porrectifolius Porter Aster prenanthoides var. scaber Torr. & A.Gray

This rhizomatous perennial herb produces colonies of plants with stems that may exceed 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) in length. These stems grow upright to erect and may be crooked or nearly straight, often becoming thick and purple with age. The leaves vary in size and shape. The flower heads are borne in branching arrays on purplish stems. The ray florets are lavender or blue in color, or sometimes white. There are up to 30 ray florets measuring up to 15 millimeters (3⁄5 inch) in length. At the center are disk florets in shades of cream and yellow to purple or brown.^[4]

This plant grows in many habitats, including woody and marshy areas as well as roadsides.^[4]

Conservation

It is a special concern species in Connecticut, where it is believed to be extirpated.^[5]

Uses

The Iroquois use this plant medicinally to treat fevers in babies and for other ailments.^[6]

Citations

1. NatureServe 2021.
2. POWO 2021.
3. USDA 2014.
4. Brouillet et al. 2006.
5. CT DEEP 2015.
6. University of Michigan n.d.

References

• Brouillet, L.; Semple, J.C.; Allen, G.A.; Chambers, K.L.; Sundberg, S.D. (2006). "Symphyotrichum prenanthoides". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). Vol. 20. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved 6 July 2021 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
• CT DEEP (2015). "Connecticut's Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species 2015" (PDF). State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau of Natural Resources. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017. This list is newer than the one used by plants.usda.gov and is more up-to-date.
• NatureServe (4 June 2021). "Symphyotrichum prenanthoides - Crooked-stem Aster". NatureServe Explorer (explorer.natureserve.org). Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
• POWO (2021). "Symphyotrichum prenanthoides (Muhl. ex Willd.) G.L.Nesom". Plants of the World Online (powo.science.kew.org). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
• University of Michigan (n.d.). "Symphyotrichum prenanthoides search". Native American Ethnobotany DB. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
• USDA, NRCS (2014). "​Symphyotrichum prenanthoides​". USDA PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 21 June 2021.