Rockcastle Aster
Eurybia saxicastelli (J.J.N. Campbell & Medley) G.L. Nesom is endemic to back edge of spring-flooded, summer-dry, sandstone boulder–cobble river bars with shrubby vegetation along the the Rockcastle River in a small area of Kentucky and adjacent Tennessee (Brouillet 2006 FNA). The species is distinguished from similar eastern North American taxa by its large heads with white to pale violet rays and its broadly oblanceolate or elliptic to obovate stem leaves. The species was first described as Aster saxicastellii Campbell & Medley. The species is hexaploid (2n=54).
The species is of conservation concern.
Brouillet, L. 2006. Eurybia (Cassini) Cassini in F. Cuvier. pp. 365--382. In Flora North America Editorial Committee, eds. Flora of North America. Vol. 20. Asteraceae, Part 2. Astereae and Senecioneae. Oxford University Press, New York.
Last revised 12 May 2025 by J.C. Semple
© 2025 J.C. Semple, including all photographs unless otherwise indicated
1-5. Eurybia saxicastellii, Semple 11556, Laurel Co., Kentucky. 1. Habitat along Rockcastle R. 2. Robust shoot. 3. Single shoot. 4. Rhizome. 54. Upper stem leaf. 6. Inflorescence branches.