Table of Contents for Anticosti Aster (Symphyotrichum anticostense)
Anticosti Aster (Symphyotrichum anticostense) is a herbaceous perennial that is native to the state of Maine and the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick in Canada. This plant is a host to the Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) and American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) butterflies and several moths. Growing from 0.3 to 3 feet tall, this species grows on calcareous river shores. The white to light purple ray flowers and yellow to purple disk flowers bloom from August to September and the plant is hardy in zones 3-4.
Taxonomy and Naming of Anticosti Aster (Symphyotrichum anticostense)
Taxonomy
Anticosti Aster (Symphyotrichum anticostense) was originally named and described by Merritt Lyndon Fernald, an American botanist in 1915 as Aster anticostensis. The first specimen was collected in Maine, but has since been lost (Haines 2000) due to flooding from a dam. In 1995, it was placed in the Symphyotrichum genus, by Guy Nesom, another American botanist. It has kept this same name since and is a member of the Aster Family (Asteraceae).
Meaning of the Scientific and Common Names
Scientific Name
The genus name, Symphyotrichum, was re-established when the North American Aster species were renamed. It derives its name from the Greek words “Symphysis” and “thriks“, which together mean hair growing together (Wikipedia). The species name, anticostense, presumably comes from the name of an island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where this species is located.
Common Name and Alternative Names
The common name likely comes from the name of an island, Anticosti Island, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where the plant is most common (Haines 2000). Other common names include aster d’Anticosti, used in Quebec and Anticosti Island Aster (Hortipedia).
Physical Description
- Plant Type: This plant is a herbaceous perennial.
- Height: 0.3 to 3 feet tall
- Stem: The stems are erect.
- Leaves: The leaves are alternate, basal, oblong-ovate to lanceolate and have serrate to entire margins. They are 3.5 to 6 inches long and 0.2 to 0.7 inches wide and are coriaceous and slightly revolute (Flora of North America).
- Flower color: white, blue to purple ray flowers and yellow to purple disk flowers
- Blooming period: This plant blooms from August to September.
- Fruiting type and period: This plant has achenes that mature in the late fall and winter.
Range of Anticosti Aster in the United States and Canada
This aster species is native in the state of Maine in the United States and in Quebec and New Brunswick in Canada. It is considered to be rare in Quebec and Maine.
Habitat
This species grows on the shores of rivers where there is limestone and scouring (Haines 2000).
Hosted Insects
Most species of Symphyotrichum are hosts for the Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) and the American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) butterflies. It also hosts a buck moth (Hemileuca maia) and several other moths.
Other Supported Wildlife
This species is a nectar source to other butterflies, skippers, bees, and wasps during the growing season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this plant have any ethnobotanical uses?
The Native American Ethobotanical Database does not cite this species specifically, but asters in general have been used for medicines, jewelry, foods, and for ceremonial uses.
How is this plant distinguished from other Asters?
This aster is similar to the robyn’s aster (Symphyotrichum robynsianum), but robyn’s aster has flexible stems and non-arcuate leaves. Anticosti aster has straight stems and arcuate leaves. In addition robyn’s aster occurs west of the range of this species. This species is considered to be intermediate between the boreal aster (S. boreale) and the Belgian aster (S. novi-belgii) (Haines 2000). However, this anticosti aster has a thicker stem and Belgian aster has squarrose phyllaries.
Is this plant invasive?
This plant has not been noted as being weedy and is restricted in habitat.
Gardening with Anticosti Aster
Hardiness
This species is hardy in zones 3-4. If your garden is within these zones and you have the right growing conditions (soil, moisture and exposure), you may well be able to grow this plant. However, if planted outside of its range, the hosted species may not recognize the plant or be harmed by ingesting a different species with an unfamiliar chemical composition.
Optimal Conditions
This species can grow in full sun to partial-shade in moist well-drained soil.
References
- Haines, Arthur. 2000. Rediscovery of Symphyotrichum anticonstense in the United States. Rhodora 102: 198-201.
