Symphyotrichum shortii

Short’s Aster

Symphyotrichum shortii (Lindley) Nesom is native to open, often thin, rocky, well-drained soils, oak-hickory woods, edges of woods, thickets, calcareous hammocks, wooded stream banks or cliffs, and along roadsides in the eastern US and adjacent southern Ontario (Brouillet et al. 2006; FNA). The species is of conservation concern along the whole periphery of its range.  Upper leaves are short-petiolate (petioles sometimes narrowly winged, sometimes slightly clasping); ray florets are usually blue or purple-blue, seldom pinkish or white. The species includes diploids 2n=16 and tetraploids 2n=32.