Symphyotrichum firmum (formerly Aster firmus), commonly known as shining aster, shiny-leaved aster,[3]smooth swamp aster,[4] and glossy-leaved aster,[5] is a species of flowering plant in the daisy familyAsteraceaenative to Canada and the United States.
Description
Symphyotrichum firmum is a perennialherbaceous plant that can reach heights of 2 meters (6+1⁄2 feet). It forms large colonies with long, creeping rhizomes. The stem is hairless or it may have stiff, short hairs, often formed in vertical lines. It is sometimes dark red or purple at the nodes (where the leaf connects to the stem). The leaves are alternate, up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) long and 3 cm (1+1⁄5 in) wide, and clasp the stem. The main vein on the lower leaf surface is hairless or slightly hairy near the tip.[5][6]
It flowers August through October. The flower heads are 1.5 to 3.5 cm (5⁄8 to 1+3⁄8 in) across with up to 40 ray florets and 50 disc florets. The ray florets range from white to pale blue or lavender. The disc florets are yellow to cream-colored, becoming pink or purple with maturity.[5][6]
S. firmum has a diploidchromosome count with a base number of x = 8 (2n = 16).[5]
Compared to the closely related Symphyotrichum puniceum, S. firmum is less hairy overall, has denser inflorescences of smaller, whiter flowers, and grows in larger, denser patches.[4][6]
Symphyotrichum firmum is closely related and morphologically very similar to Symphyotrichum puniceum (purple-stemmed aster), and is not always treated as a separate species. However, there is little evidence of intergrades between the two taxa, and most sources now treat them as distinct.[5][6]
Symphyotrichum firmum grows in moist and sunny areas such as fens and wet prairies.[4][7] It is often found growing with S. puniceum.[6] Unlike S. puniceum, it sometimes spreads into drier areas.[4]
