Symphyotrichum ascendens

Long-leaved Aster, Intermountain Aster, Western Aster

Symphyotrichum ascendens (Lindley) Nesom is widely distributed in the Great Basin (Brouillet et al. 2006; FNA).  The species includes allopolyploids with 2n=26 (derived diploid) and 2n=52 (derived tetraploid) which Allen (1985) demonstrated were derived from the hybridization between S. spathulatum (x=8) and S. falcatum (x=5) yeilding a new base number of x=13 only occurring in Sy. subg. Ascendentes (Rydb.) Semple.

Backcrosses to both ancestral parental species or hybrids with related taxa are sometimes seen where the ranges overlap.

Symphotrichum ascendens 4399 ID
Symphyotricum ascendens small infl BCNP
Symphyotrichum ascendens hds UT
Symphotrichum ascendens 4399 ID
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Symphyotricum ascendens small infl BCNP
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Symphyotrichum ascendens hds UT
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Allen, G. 1985. The hybrid origin of Aster ascendens (Asteraceae). Amer. J. Bot. 72: 268-277.

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.

Revised 14 May 2021 by J.C. Semple

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