Symphyotrichum lowrieanum (Porter) Nesom

Locations ofSymphyotrichum lowrieanum (Porter) Nesom in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Asteraceae
Botanical Name
Symphyotrichum lowrieanum (Porter) Nesom
Common Name
Lowrie's Aster, Lowrie's Blue Wood Aster
Synonym(s)
Aster ×lowrieanus Porter
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Symphyotrichum lowrieanum (Porter) Nesom
Comments
This taxon is somewhat controversial. Some taxonomists maintain that Porter's type material is representative of "typical" Symphyotrichum cordifolium, and they dismiss S. lowrieanum as a distinct taxon. They further note that many specimens initially identified as S. lowrieanum have been annotated as S. cordifolium and ascribe specimens not annotated as such to the hybrid S. ×schistosum (Steele) G.L. Nesom. We are maintaining S. lowrieanum as a separate species due to the apparent morphological differences between plants so named in Virginia and S. cordifolium, as well as the departures from S. lowrieanum morphology noted in the original description of Aster schistosus (= S. ×schistosum)(Steele 1911). This complex is certainly in need of systematic study.
Habitat
Mesic to dry-mesic forests, seepage swamps, barrens, and outcrops. Infrequent but widespread in the mountains; very rare in the sw. Piedmont.
Native Status
Native

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