Symphyotrichum Nees

Ghazanfar, S. A., Edmondson, J. R. & Hind, D. J. N. (Eds). (2019). Flora of Iraq, Volume 6: Compositae.Kew Publishing

Morphology General Habit

Annual, biennial or perennial herbs with fibrous or rhizomatous roots

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate, petiolate or sessile, simple, entire or crenate to dentate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Synflorescence

Synflorescences paniculiform, sometimes racemiform or subcorymbiform or sometimes capitula solitary

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Capitulum

Capitula heterogamous, radiate or discoid; ray-florets female, usually blue or purple; disc florets hermaphrodite, yellow, sometimes purplish-tipped, 5-lobed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Involucre

Involucre campanulate or cylinric; phyllaries in (3–)4–6(–9) rows, imbricate or finally ± spreading, equal or unequal, glabrous or hairy, rarely glandular

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Receptacle

Receptacle flat or almost so

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Achenes compressed, ± obovate or angled; pappus of ± equal scabrid, bristles, in 4 series, persistent.

Distribution

A large and widely distributed genus differently circumscribed in the various regions where it occurs. About 90 species, Asia, Europe N and S America; especially well represented in N America.

Etymology

Symphyotrichum (from the Gr. σημ, a prefix ‘joined to’ and τρίχα, tricha, hair).