New York aster
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii
This species is highly salt-tolerant, allowing it to thrive in brackish coastal environments where other wildflowers would wither.
- Scientific name
- Symphyotrichum novi-belgii
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Asterales › Asteraceae › Symphyotrichum
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Salt marshes, wet meadows, shorelines, and damp fields.
- Diet
- Photosynthetic (requires sunlight, water, and soil nutrients).
- Range
- Eastern North America, Atlantic Canada, Northeastern United States
- Size
- Normally 30 to 140 cm (1 to 4.5 feet) tall.
- Lifespan
- Perennial (individual plants live for several years, spreading via rhizomes).
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss due to coastal development, invasive species competition, and heavy herbicide use.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and safe to approach. You can touch the flowers and leaves gently. Avoid trampling the plants or foraging in areas that may have been treated with chemical pesticides. If you experience an allergic reaction (possible for those sensitive to Asteraceae), wash the skin with soap and water.
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii also known as New York aster is the type species for Symphyotrichum , a genus of the family Asteraceae whose species were once considered to be Asters . They are ornamental plants native to Canada and the United States. All of these plants are collectively and popularly known as "Michaelmas daisies".
Photo: Daniel McClosky, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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