PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Robyns' Aster (Symphyotrichum robynsianum)

Aster_longifolius_Steve_Garske_09_23_09_2010.jpg

 

 

 

 

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Photo by Steve Garske

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Robyns' Aster (Symphyotrichum robynsianum), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found usually found in moist sandy sites. Blooming occurs in August and September, fruiting September through October. The optimal identification period for this species is throughout September.

Aster eminens, Aster longifolius, Symphyotrichum longifolium, Symphyotrichum novi-belgii, Symphyotrichum novi-belgii var. novi-belgii

 
 
 

Robyns' aster is an erect forb, 20cm-1.4m tall, with an inflorescence with few to several heads in an open cluster, with 20-50 pale purple petals, each 6-14mm long. Fruits are brown, inversely ovoid, cypselae 2-4mm, with faces that have infrequent or no stiff, sharply appressed hairs. Leaves are thick and firm, lance-shaped or elliptical, 4-17cm x 4-25mm, sessile, toothed or entire, and smooth except for the rough and hairy perimeter.

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs throughout September, fruiting September through October.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is throughout September.

Associated species include Oenothera perennis, Rudbeckia hirta, Gnaphalium obtusifolium, Aster azureus, Polygonum sagittatum, P hydropiper, Lycopus uniflorus, Scuttellaria lateriflora, Vaccinium macrocarpon, and Bidens coronata.

Robyns' aster is found usually found in moist sandy sites.

Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.

Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes on or near known populations.

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.