Symphyotrichum shortii

Symphyotrichum shortii
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Symphyotrichum
Subgenus:	Symphyotrichum subg. Symphyotrichum
Section:	Symphyotrichum sect. Symphyotrichum
Species:	S. shortii
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum shortii (Lindl.) G.L.Nesom
Synonyms
Basionym Aster shortii Lindl. ex Hook. Alphabetical list Aster camptosorus Small Aster shortii f. asper Shinners Aster shortii subsp. azureus (Lindl. ex Hook.) Avers Aster shortii var. camptosorus (Small) D.B.Ward Aster shortii f. candidus Benke Aster shortii f. gronemannii Benke Aster shortii var. monroei Benke Symphyotrichum shortii f. gronemannii (Benke) G.Wilh. & Rericha

Symphyotrichum shortii (formerly Aster shortii), commonly called Short's aster, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is native to North America, where it is primarily found in interior areas east of the Mississippi River. Its natural habitat is in thin rocky soils of woodlands and thickets often around limestone bluffs. It is common throughout much of its range, although it is generally restricted to intact natural communities.

Symphyotrichum shortii is a perennial herbaceous plant growing up to 110 centimeters (3.5 feet). It produces heads of flowers with purple rays in late summer and fall. Unlike many related Symphyotrichum, its stem leaves are essentially entire and do not have a winged petiole. It bears a resemblance to the related Symphyotrichum oolentangiense of farther west, from which S. shortii can be distinguished by its cordate stem leaves and pubescent phyllaries.

The species was first formally described and named Aster shortii by English botanist John Lindley in 1834. A natural hybrid of S. shortii and S. cordifolium may occur, and this has been named Symphyotrichum × finkii.

References

• Brouillet, L.; Semple, J.C.; Allen, G.A.; Chambers, K.L.; Sundberg, S.D. (2006a). "Symphyotrichum cordifolium". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). Vol. 20. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved 23 July 2021 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
• Brouillet, L.; Semple, J.C.; Allen, G.A.; Chambers, K.L.; Sundberg, S.D. (2006b). "Symphyotrichum shortii". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). Vol. 20. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved 23 July 2021 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
• Hilty, John (2020). "Short's Aster (Symphyotrichum shortii)". Illinois Wildflowers.
• IPNI (2021). "Aster shortii Lindl. ex Hook". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
• NatureServe (2 July 2021). "Symphyotrichum shortii Short's Aster". NatureServe Explorer (explorer.natureserve.org). Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
• POWO (2019). "Symphyotrichum shortii (Lindl.) G.L.Nesom". Plants of the World Online (www.plantsoftheworldonline.org). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
• NRCS (2014). "Symphyotrichum shortii". USDA PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 3 July 2018. {{cite web}}: More than one of |author1= and |last1= specified (help)
• Weakley, A. (20 October 2020). Flora of the Southeastern United States. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina. p. 1582. Retrieved 7 July 2021.