Eurybia saxicastelli

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 is hexaploid (2n=54).

The species is of conservation concern.

Last updated 14 February 2014 by J.C. Semple

© 2014 J.C. Semple, including all photographs unless otherwise indicated