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(Symphyotrichum turbinellum)
Prairie Aster (Symphyotrichum turbinellum)
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Jason Grant
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Jason Grant
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Jason Grant | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Jason Grant | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-10-12T14:19:55-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Symphyotrichum turbinellum, commonly known as Prairie Aster, is a perennial herb native to North American prairies, meadows, and open woodlands, particularly in the central United States, including Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and a width of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters). The plant features a clumping form with narrow leaves and produces small, lavender to violet flowers with yellow centers from late summer to early fall. The flowers are quite showy and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Prairie Aster is valued for its late-season blooms and its ability to thrive in tough conditions, making it a popular choice for native plant gardens, prairie restorations, and wildflower meadows. It is also used in border plantings and as a cut flower. This plant prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade, and while it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. It requires well-drained soil and is adaptable to a range of soil types, including clay. There are no major disease or pest issues, but it can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions. Prairie Aster is not known for aggressive roots or invasiveness.CC BY-SA 4.0
Prairie Aster is valued for its late-season blooms and its ability to thrive in tough conditions, making it a popular choice for native plant gardens, prairie restorations, and wildflower meadows. It is also used in border plantings and as a cut flower. This plant prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade, and while it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. It requires well-drained soil and is adaptable to a range of soil types, including clay. There are no major disease or pest issues, but it can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions. Prairie Aster is not known for aggressive roots or invasiveness.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb, Subshrub
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Width: 2-2.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
native to North American prairies, meadows, and open woodlands, particularly in the central United States, including Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana
Other Names
Common Names: Smooth Violet Prairie Aster, Mauve-Flowered Starwort
Scientific Names: , Symphyotrichum turbinellum, Aster turbinellus,
GBIF Accepted Name: Symphyotrichum turbinellum (Lindl.) G.L.Nesom