Symphyotrichum puniceum


Symphyotrichum puniceum, commonly known as purplestem aster, red-stalk aster, red-stemmed aster or swamp aster, is a perennial herb native to eastern North America. It has also been called early purple aster and meadow scabish.
It is one of the widest ranging plants of the genus, being present from the edges of the Great Plains to the Atlantic coast and from the Gulf coast of Texas north to southern Ungava Bay in the north of Quebec. It is adventive in Europe.

Taxonomy

Symphyotrichum puniceum is a variable species and many forms have been named. Two varieties are currently accepted:
The species Symphyotrichum firmum is sometimes considered a variety of S. puniceum, but most sources treat them as distinct species. Compared to S. firmum, this species is typically hairier, with purpler flowers, and does not form dense colonies but rather small clusters or scattered individuals.

Description

It produces flowers between August and October. The ray florets range from dark blue or purple to white. The disc florets are yellow to cream-colored, becoming pink or purple with maturity.