Symphyotrichum ciliatum

Rayless Annual Aster, Rayless Alkali Aster, aster cilié

Symphyotrichum ciliatum (Ledebour) Nesom is a widely distributed, easy to miss rayless species native to moist, brackish soils, prairies, steppes, salt marshes (Hudson Bay), summer-receding prairie ponds, open grounds in loess hills, irrigation channels, winter-salted highways, railroads, waste ground across northern North America and the steppes of Eurasia westward to Rumania (Brouillet et al. 2016; FNA). The species is introduced east of the Prairies in winter-salted wastegrounds and roadsides.  It is diploid 2n=14.


Revised 10 May 2021 by J.C. Semple

© 2021 J.C. Semple, including all photographs unless otherwise indicated

Brouillet, L., J.C. Semple, G.A. Allen,  K. Chambers and S. Sundburg. 2006.  Symphyotrichum Nees. pp. 465-539. In Flora North America Editorial Committee, eds. Flora of North America. Vol. 20. Asteraceae, Part 2. Astereae and Senecioneae. Oxford University Press, New York.