Symphyotrichum falcatum

Symphyotrichum falcatum (formerly Aster falcatus) is a species of flowering plant in the aster family. It is native to a widespread area of central and western North America. It is commonly called white prairie aster and western heath aster.[2]

White prairie aster

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Symphyotrichum
Species:
S. falcatum
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum falcatum
Synonyms[1]

Listed alphabetically

Name

Symphyotrichum falcatum common names include white prairie aster, western heath aster, creeping white prairie aster, falcate aster, little grey aster, and aster en faux (French).[3]

The variety S. falcatum var. commutatum is known commonly as white prairie aster, western heath aster, and little grey aster, as well as cluster aster and aster changeant (French).[4]

Taxonomy
See also: Symphyotrichum and Aster (genus) § Circumscription

Symphyotrichum falcatum is one of the two species within Symphyotrichum sect. Ericoidei. The other is Symphyotrichum ericoides.[5]

Along with many other species, Symphyotrichum falcatum was formerly included in the genus Aster. However, this broad circumscription of Aster was polyphyletic (having multiple ancestral lines) and the North American asters are classified in Symphyotrichum and several other genera.[6]

Symphyotrichum falcatum was first formally described by John Lindley in 1834 as Aster falcatus.[7]

Two varieties of Symphyotrichum falcatum are recognized:[8]

  • Symphyotrichum falcatum var. falcatum, cespitose with up to ten stems from caudices; and,
  • Symphyotrichum falcatum var. commutatum, communal with stems growing from rhizomes.

Conservation

NatureServe lists it as Secure (G5) worldwide but Critically Imperiled (S1) in Alaska, Vulnerable (S3) in Yukon, and Possibly Extirpated (SH) in Iowa. It is an exotic species in Ontario, Missouri, and Massachusetts.[9]

Uses

The Zuni people mix the ground blossoms of the commutatum variety with yucca suds and used to wash newborn infants in the belief that it will make their hair grow and strengthen them.[10]

References
  1. POWO (2019). "Symphyotrichum falcatum (Lindl.) G.L.Nesom". Plants of the World Online (powo.science.kew.org). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  2. "Symphyotrichum falcatum". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  3. GBIF Secretariat (2019a). "Symphyotrichum falcatum (Lindl.) G.L.Nesom". gbif.org. GBIF Secretariat. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  4. GBIF Secretariat (2019b). "Symphyotrichum falcatum var. commutatum (Torr. & A.Gray) G.L.Nesom". gbif.org. GBIF Secretariat. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  5. Semple, J.C. (16 October 2019b). "Virguloid Asters". UWaterloo.ca. University of Waterloo. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  6. Semple, J.C. (16 October 2019a). "An overview of "asters" and the Tribe Astereae". UWaterloo.ca. University of Waterloo. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  7. IPNI (2020). "Aster falcatus Lindl". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  8. Brouillet, Luc; Semple, John C.; Allen, Geraldine A.; Chambers, Kenton L.; Sundberg, Scott D. (2006). "Symphyotrichum falcatum". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). 20. New York and Oxford. Retrieved 24 November 2020 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  9. NatureServe (10 November 2020). "Symphyotrichum falcatum White Prairie Aster". explorer.natureserve.org. NatureServe. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  10. Stevenson, Matilda Coxe (1915). Ethnobotany of the Zuni Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #30. p. 84.


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