Rare asters and goldenrods of Ontario

There are 32 species of asters (Aster, Doellingeria, Eurybia, Oclemena,and Symphyotrichum) and 31 species goldenrods (Euthamia and Solidago) in Ontario. Of these, 19 are native and rare to very rare. With the exception of Houghton's Goldenrod Solidago houghtonii and Gillman's Goldenrod Solidago simplex var. gillmanii, which are Great Lakes endemics, all rare taxa are common in other parts of their ranges to the northwest, south, east or west of Ontario. The following are considered to be rare in the threatened or special concern category:

• Aster alpinus L. ssp. vierhapperi Onn) [A. culminis A. Nels.]
• Eurybia divaricata (L.) Nesom [Aster divaricatus]
• Eurybia radula (Ait.) Nesom [Aster radula]
• Eurybia schreberi (Nees) Nees [Aster schreberi]
• Symphyotrichum dumosum L. var. strictior Torr. & Gray
• Symphyotrichum praealtum Poir. var. praealtum
• Symphyotrichum prenanthoides Muhl.
• Symphyotrichum sericeum Vent.
• Symphyotrichum shortii Lindl.
• Solidago arguta Ait. var. arguta
• Solidago bicolor L.
• Solidago houghtonii Torr. & Gray
• Solidago missouriensis Nutt.
• Solidago pallida (Porter) Rydb.
• Solidago puberula Nutt. var. puberula
• Solidago riddellii Frank
• Solidago rigidiuscula (Torr. & Gray) Porter
• Solidago simplex Kunth var. gillmanii (A. Gray) Ringius
• Solidago ulmifolia Muhl.

Last updated 3 September 2013 by J.C. Semple

© 2013 J.C. Semple, including all photographs unless otherwise indicated