Symphyotrichum prenanthoides
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aster prenanthoides.
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum pre-nan-thee-OY-deez
- Description
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Crooked-stemmed aster is a native perennial wildflower in the daisy family (Asteraceae) native to northcentral and northeastern North America. It is typically found growing along a woods edge, banks, marshy areas and thickets.
Crooked-stemmed aster grows 2 to 4 feet tall with a rounded habit and stems that can be ascending to erect in partial sun, partial shade to dappled sun and moist but well-drained loams. It will readily reseed and can form colonies by creeping rhizomes. Propagation is by division and seed.
In late summer to fall, crooked-stemmed aster produces 1-inch composite flowers that occur in the leaf axils and terminal ends. They consist of 20 to 35 pale lavender ray florets surrounding cream to yellow disc florets that age to reddish-purple. The leaf shape is unique and changes as they ascend the zig-zag stems.
Use crooked-stemmed aster in the border or in groups of pollinator or native gardens. Grown along the edge of a woodland area, along streams and ponds or in naturalized areas. It will do best in cooler summer climates to zone 7.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for powdery mildew.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- prenanthoides
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- A tea made from the roots of crooked-stem aster has been used to treat fevers in babies and colds and kidney ailments in adults.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South East Canada to U.S.A
- Distribution:
- CT , DC , DE , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , MI , MN , NC , NJ , NY , OH , PA , TN , VA , WI , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Symphyotrichum support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteroides, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) placata, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, and Colletes simulans.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- The dry seed achene is flat and brown with light brown hairs, allowing wind dispersal..
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 20 to 30 pale violet petals surround a yellow center of disc florets that become reddish-purple with age. Flowers are 1 inch across and appear in leaf axils and terminal branches. Floral bracts are narrow and translucent.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Spatulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Basal leaves are on winged stems and often die back before flowering. Leaves are lance- to spear- to spatula-shaped with coarsely toothed margins, a sharp tip and a base that narrows to a winged stem. Upper leaves become lance-shaped, toothless, clasping and smaller as they ascend the stem. Leaves can be 2 to 7 inches long and 1/3 to 2 inches wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- The zig-zag green stems turn purple with age and are glabrous to pubescent.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Specialized Bees
