Calico Aster
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, Prince Edward I., United States
Eewilson
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
- USDA Symbol:
- SYLA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pale purple, lavender
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)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acrocercops astericola, Coleophora dextrella, Green Leuconycta Moth (Leuconycta diphteroides), Harris's Cracker (Charidryas harrisii), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Butterflies:Anthanassa Scudder, Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Common Checkered-skipper (Burnsius communis), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Small White (Pieris rapae), Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia), Zabulon Skipper (Lon zabulon)
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; benefits from periodic burning in prairie and open woodland settings.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers habitats like woodland edges and stream banks
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: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI