| Symphyotrichum robynsianum | |
|---|---|
 | |
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. robynsianum |
| Binomial name | |
| Symphyotrichum robynsianum (J.Rousseau) Brouillet & Labrecque | |
 | |
| Native distribution by state and province[2] | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Symphyotrichum robynsianum (formerly Aster robynsianum) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to northeastern North America. Common names include Robyns's aster,[3] longleaf aster,[4] and long-leaved aster.[5]
Description
S. robynsianum is a perennial, herbaceous plant with long rhizomes and erect stems ranging from 10 to 80 centimetres (4 to 31 inches) tall. The stiff narrow leaves are slightly toothed or entire. Flowers may be produced from August to September. The flower heads are located singly or in groups of up to three on leafy branches. The ray florets are dark blue-violet and the disc florets are yellow.[3]
Flower heads showing involucres and phyllaries
Fruiting plant
Taxonomy
Symphyotrichum robynsianum was formerly included in the large genus Aster as Aster robynsianum. However, this broad circumscription of Aster is polyphyletic and the North American asters are now mostly classified in Symphyotrichum and several other genera.[6] No subspecies or varieties have been recognized within Symphyotrichum robynsianum.
This species has often gone by the name Aster longifolius, but the type specimen for that name is a specimen of Symphyotrichum novi-belgii, and as such that name cannot be used for the plants now called S. robynsianum. In 1957, Jacques Rousseau, a Quebecois ethnobotanist, described Aster robynsianum based on a specimen from central Quebec, naming it after Walter Robyns, a director of the National Botanic Garden of Belgium.[7][8] The name Symphyotrichum robynsianum was first used in 1997 by Luc Brouillet and Jacques Labrecque.[8]
Symphyotrichum robynsianum may have originated as hybrid between two other aster species, but its origin is not well understood.[8]
Distribution and habitat
Symphyotrichum robynsianum is native to parts of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. It is typical of moist, open, sandy, gravelly or rocky habitats such as river and lake shores, and alvars.[3] It is usually associated with calcareous habitats.[8]
Conservation
As of August 2023, NatureServe listed S. robynsianum as Secure (G5) globally, last reviewed on 13 July 2016. On a US state and Canadian province basis, it listed the species as Vulnerable (S3) in Quebec; Critically Imperiled (S1) in Manitoba and Wisconsin; and, Secure (S5) in Ontario. Michigan and Minnesota have not been ranked.[1]
Citations
References
- Brouillet, L.; Labrecque, J. (1997). "New combinations in Symphyotrichum (syn. Aster, Asteraceae: Astereae) species from northeastern North America". Phytologia. 82 (3): 137–141. doi:10.5962/bhl.part.28862.
- Brouillet, L.; Semple, J.C.; Allen, G.A.; Chambers, K.L.; Sundberg, S.D. (2006). "Symphyotrichum robynsianum". 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 3 February 2020 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
- Jardin Botanique (18 June 2014). "Biography of Jacques Rousseau". Collections and Archives of the Library – Montreal Botanical Garden. Jardin Botanique de Montreal. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
- NatureServe (4 August 2023). "Symphyotrichum robynsianum Robyns' American-aster". explorer.natureserve.org. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
- POWO (2023). "Symphyotrichum robynsianum (J.Rousseau) Brouillet & Labrecque". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
- Reznicek, A.A.; Voss, E.G.; Walters, B.S., eds. (February 2011). "Symphyotrichum robynsianum". Michigan Flora Online. University of Michigan Herbarium. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
- Semple, J.C. (27 April 2021). "An overview of "asters" and the Tribe Astereae". www.uwaterloo.ca. Ontario. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- USDA, NRCS (2014). "Symphyotrichum robynsianum". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 8 August 2023.