Annual Saltmarsh Aster, Eastern Annual Saltmarsh Sster, aster subulé
Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michaux) G. L. Nesom is a coastal species native to eastern North America. Five varieties of Symphyotrichum subulatum were recognized by Brouillet et al. (2006) based on differences in chromosome number, ray lamina color and size, array shapes, number of series of ray florets, number of disc and ray florets, and other, more cryptic characters following (Sundberg 1986, 2004). These varieties were treated as species by G. L. Nesom (2005).
Sundberg, S.D. 1986. The systematics of Aster subgenus Oxytripolium (Compositae) and historically allied species. Ph.D. dissertation, Univ. of Texas, Austin
Sundberg, S.D. 2005. New names and combinations in North American Symphyotrichum subgenus Astropolium (Asteraceae: Astereae). Sida 21: 903-910.
Nesom, G.L. 2005. Taxonomy of the Symphyotrichum (Aster) subulatum group and Symphyotrichum (Aster) tenuifolium (Asteraceae: Astereae). Sida 21: 2125–2140.
Brouillet, L., J.C. Semple, G.A. Allen, K. Chambers and S. Sundberg. 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.
Last revised 5 April 2025 by J.C. Semple
© 2025 J.C. Semple, including all photographs unless otherwise indicated
1-x. Symphyotrichum subulatum. 1. Habit var. subulatum, Semple et al 6787, Windsor Salt Factory, Ontario. 2. Heads, var. subulatum, Semple et al. 3860, Mobile Co., Alabama. 4. Habit and florets, var. elongatum, Semple 11638, Onslow Co, North Carolina. 5. Comparison of heads of S. subulatum var. subulatum and S. tenuifolium.