Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Symphyotrichum puniceum var. puniceum
Symphyotrichum puniceum (L.) Á. Löve & D. Löve var. puniceum
Purplestem Aster, Red-stem Aster, Swamp Aster
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Aster calderi, Aster conduplicatus, Aster firmus, Aster forwoodii, Aster lucidulus, Aster puniceus, Aster puniceus ssp. firmus, Aster puniceus var. calderi, Aster puniceus var. calvus, Aster puniceus var. compactus, Aster puniceus var. demissus, Aster puniceus var. firmus, Aster puniceus var. lucidulus, Aster puniceus var. oligocephalus, Aster puniceus var. perlongus, Symphyotrichum firmum, Symphyotrichum puniceum var. calderi
USDA Symbol: SYPUP
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N), SPM (N)
This is a variable plant, but the typical form has bristly, purplish stems; toothed, lance-shaped leaves; and many light-violet or violet-blue rays (petals) surrounding a yellow center. Red-stem aster is a stout plant growing 2-7 ft. tall.
Resembles a large and lighter coloured New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angleae). (Ontario Native Plants 2002)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 7 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PurpleBloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Nf. to Ont., MN & ND, s. to GA, TN & s. MO
Native Habitat: Wet, frequently calcareous, thickets
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Damp soils
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Butterflies
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Sow seeds, 5/8" deep, outside in fall or provide cold stratification. Also propagated by "softwood" cuttings taken in late spring.Seed Collection: Approximate collection date in northern U.S.: late Oct.
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Symphyotrichum puniceum var. puniceum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Symphyotrichum puniceum var. puniceum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symphyotrichum puniceum var. puniceum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-27Research By: TWC Staff