Jessica's Aster
Symphyotrichum jessicae
- Native to:
- United States
Walter Fertig (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- Symphyotrichum jessicae
- USDA Symbol:
- SYJE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, lavender, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rootstock following fire; typical of prairie aster species.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to rocky outcrops and slopes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Surface sow; seeds require light for germination. Cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seed ripens in September and October. It is collected when the pappus begins to expand. Seed is brown in color and wind disseminated, so must be collected before it blows away. Seed maturity is indeterminant. Seed can be collected using a vacuum cleaner. This removes only mature seed, leaving immature seed to ripen, and reduces the amount of trash which subsequently must be cleaned from the seed. Harvested seed is stored in paper bags at room temperature until cleaned.
Source: npn.rngr.net