Western Aster
Symphyotrichum Ascendens
Plant type: Forb, Herb
Growing Season: No information found
Life Cycle: Perennial
Cover: High
Soil & Plant Characteristics
Acceptable Soil Types: Loam
Acceptable Soil Conditions: Acidic
Max Plant Height (in ft): 2
First Bloom: July
Last Bloom: October
Flower Color: Purple
Location
Minimum Elevation (in ft): 2790
Maximum Elevation (in ft): 10500
Counties: Beaver, Boxelder, Cache, Carbon, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Morgan, Piute, Rich, Saltlake, Sanjuan, Sanpete, Sevier, Summit, Tooele, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, Washington, Wayne, Weber
Reproduction and Growth
Growth Rate: No information found
Germination Overall: No information found
Germination Rate: Moderate
Germination Requirements: No information found
Reproduction: No information found
Establishment: High
Ecological
Best Suited For These Conditions: Flooding, Disturbance, Riparian
Best Suited For These Management Goals: Pollinator habitat, Livestock tolerant, Erosion control, Drought resilience, Bumblebee habitat, Monarch Butterfly habitat
Additional Information
Commerical Availability: Yes
Notes: Symphyotrichum ascendens is a known accumulator of selenium which can aid in rehabiliation of soils but livestock that feed on this plant growing in these areas are subject to selenium poisoning.
- https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_syas3.pdf
- https://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/forbsherbaceous/western-aster
- https://www.farmprogress.com/conservation/how-planting-asters-can-help-monarch-butterflies
- https://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/3390--aster-occidentalis
- https://mountainscholar.org/bitstream/handle/10217/197392/Reynolds_colostate_0053A_15621.pdf?sequence=1
- https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/866/