Symphyotrichum parviceps

Smallhead or Small White Aster

Symphyotrichum parviceps (E. S. Burgess) G. L. Nesom is native to open, dry, sandy, or loamy soils, open woods, barrens, prairies, fields, roadsides, old cemeteries in Ark., Ill., Iowa, Kans., Mo., and Okla. (Brouillet et al. 2006, FNA). The species includes diploids (2n=16), tetraploids (2n=32) and hexaploids (2n=48).  The small head size of diploids and tetraploids makes the species distinctive, but the hexaploids  with large heads can be confused with Symphyotrichum pilosum.

Symphyotrichum parviceps, habitat, 7378, Adams Co., IL
Symphyotrichum parviceps, habit, 7378, Adams Co., IL
Symphyotrichum parviceps, inflorescence, 7378, Adams Co., IL
Symphyotrichum parviceps, heads, 7378, Adams Co., IL
Symphyotrichum parviceps, habitat, 7378, Adams Co., IL
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Symphyotrichum parviceps, habit, 7378, Adams Co., IL
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Symphyotrichum parviceps, inflorescence, 7378, Adams Co., IL
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Symphyotrichum parviceps, heads, 7378, Adams Co., IL
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1-x. Symphyotrichum parviceps, Semple & Suripto 7378, Adams Co., Illinois. 1. Habitat. 2. Habit. 3. Inflorescence. 4. Flowering heads.

Last updated 2 April 2025 by J.C. Semple

© 2025 J.C. Semple, including all photographs unless otherwise indicated