Hairy White Oldfield Aster
Symphyotrichum pilosum
- Native to:
- Canada, United States, Virgin Islands
jfox16 (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- Symphyotrichum pilosum
- USDA Symbol:
- SYPI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, 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
Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble (Bombus pensylvanicus), Black and (Bombus auricomus), Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Drury's long-horned bee (Melissodes druriellus), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Half-black bumble (Bombus vagans), Northern amber (Bombus borealis), Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow bumble (Bombus fervidus), Zadontomerus Ashmead Moths:Goldenrod Hooded Owlet (Cucullia asteroides), Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps fulvicollis) Butterflies:American Copper (Lycaena hypophlaeas), Atalopedes Scudder, Checkered White (Pontia protodice), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Common Checkered-skipper (Burnsius communis), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Little Yellow (Eurema lisa), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Ocola Skipper (Panoquina ocola), Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Small White (Pieris rapae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Commonly found in open fields and prairies
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; surface sow on moist soil and keep warm.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)