Symphyotrichum pygmaeum (original) (raw)

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Species of flowering plant in family Asteraceae

Symphyotrichum pygmaeum
Photo of pygmy aster (Symphyotrichum pygmaeum) growing in a moss and lichen substrate (tundra) that is mostly brown; the flower rays are purple and the leaves are green; the short stems are very hairy; refer to caption for location
Victoria Island, Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut, Canada
Conservation status
Apparently Secure (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Astereae
Subtribe: Symphyotrichinae
Genus: Symphyotrichum
Subgenus: Symphyotrichum subg. Virgulus
Section: Symphyotrichum sect. Grandiflori
Species: S. pygmaeum
Binomial name
Symphyotrichum pygmaeum(Lindl.) Brouillet & Selliah[2]
Symphyotrichum pygmaeum native distribution map: areas of Alaska, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Native distribution[3]
Synonyms[2]
Basionym Aster pygmaeus Lindl. Other synonyms Aster sibiricus subsp. pygmaeus (Lindl.) Á.Löve & D.Löve Aster sibiricus var. pygmaeus (Lindl.) Cody Eurybia pygmaea (Lindl.) G.L.Nesom

Symphyotrichum pygmaeum (formerly Eurybia pygmaea and Aster pygmaeus) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Commonly known as pygmy aster, it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach heights of 1.5 to 15 centimeters (1⁄2 to 6 inches). Its summer-blooming flowers have purple to violet ray florets and yellow disk florets.[4]

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

S. pygmaeum is native to north Alaska, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, and it grows at up to 200 meters (660 feet) or more above sea level in moist sand dunes, sandy or silty stream banks, gravelly tundra, and similar habitats.[4]

As of December 2022[update], it was classified by NatureServe (as Eurybia pygmaea) as Apparently Secure (G4) globally; Apparently Secure (S4) in Northwest Territories and Nunavut; and, Imperiled (S2) in Alaska. Its global status was last reviewed by NatureServe on 23 June 2016. Several known locations of the plant, especially in Alaska, are near oil field developments, increasing the potential threat to its survival in those areas. "The sand and gravel sites favored by this species are [...] prized for material sites by mineral and oil exploration and development companies."[1]

S. pygmaeum herbarium specimen

S. pygmaeum herbarium specimen close-ups

  1. ^ a b NatureServe (2022).
  2. ^ a b POWO (2022).
  3. ^ Semple (2014).
  4. ^ a b Brouillet et al. (2006).