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

Symphotrichum ascendens, Semple & Brouillet 4399 WAT, Idaho

Symphyotricum ascendens small infl BCNP

Symphyotricum ascendens, small inflorescence, Bryce Canyon N.P., Utah

Symphyotrichum ascendens at 11272 hds

Symphyotrichum ascendens, heads, below Bridal Veil Falls, Utah

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