Aromatic Aster
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
aarongunnar (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- Symphyotrichum oblongifolium
- USDA Symbol:
- SYOB
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, blue, violet
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)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Zadontomerus Ashmead Butterflies:American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), Atalopedes Scudder, Checkered White (Pontia protodice), Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Common Checkered-skipper (Burnsius communis), Dainty Sulphur (Nathalis iole), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Little Yellow (Eurema lisa), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Small White (Pieris rapae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rootstock after fire; benefits from periodic burning to reduce competition.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in rocky or sandy prairies and open woods
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Light aids germination. Surface sow and keep moist.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Notes: Seeds require cold-moist stratification for 30 days before germination.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. If no germination in 3 months, try 4C 1-2 months, then 20C again.