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Barrens silky aster

Symphyotrichum pratense

Other common name(s):

Meadow aster

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Grand Prairie
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
2
ft.

Spread

1
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Caliche, Calcareous

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink, Purple

Bloom Season

Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

Maintenance

Prefers meadows, open woodlands, savannahs, pastures, ravines, ditches, and disturbed sites. It withstands a wide variety of soil types. Propagation: Seed, Clump division.

Comments

Blooms September-November. It has showy blue, composite flowers that appear in the fall. Stems and leaves are hairy. Special value to native bees.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonyms: Aster phyllolepis, Aster pratensis, Aster sericeus var. microphyllus, Lasallea sericea ssp. pratensis, Virgulus pratensis

References

1) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=522238#null, 2) https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Symphyotrichum pratense.png, 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SYPR7, 4) https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-pratense/, 5) http://www.texaswildbuds.com/symphyotrichum-pratense.html

Get in Touch

Contact the State

Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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