Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Country Or Region Of Origin
SE. U.S.A.
Plant Profile: Symphyotrichum retroflexum
Taxonomy: Symphyotrichum retroflexumNames
Curtis Aster, Rigid Whitetop Aster
Phonetic Spelling:sim-FIEE-oh-try-cum reh-TRO-flex-um
Genus:Symphyotrichum
Species:retroflexum
Family:Asteraceae
The Rigid Whitetop Aster is a native wildflower that thrives in the mountainous regions of North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. This plant produces lavender flowers with a yellow center, blooming from late summer into fall. It typically grows in woodlands and along roadsides, preferring well-drained soil.
Symphyotrichum retroflexum Feature Summary
Symphyotrichum retroflexum Image Gallery
Tags
#fire
#medium flammability
Similar Plants
Symphyotrichum retroflexum Feature Summary
Attributes
SE. U.S.A.
Mountains of GA, NC, SC, TN
Perennial
medium flammability
Flowers
1-in. composite lavender flowers with a yellow center. Blooms Aug.-Oct.
Purple/Lavender
Gold/Yellow
Panicle
7 - 20 petals/rays
Radial
1-3 inches
Leaves
3-6 in. linear to elliptical leaves with serrulate or entire margins.
Green
Simple
Alternate
Elliptical
Linear
Entire
Serrate
3-6 inches
Whole Plant Traits
Herbaceous Perennial
Wildflower
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Good Drainage
Mountains
Fruit
Achene
Stem
Landscape
Symphyotrichum retroflexum Image Gallery
Symphyotrichum retroflexum Attributes
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Distribution
Mountains of GA, NC, SC, TN
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Fire Risk Rating
extreme flammability
high flammability
low flammability
medium flammability
Symphyotrichum retroflexum Flowers
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Flower Description
1-in. composite lavender flowers with a yellow center. Blooms Aug.-Oct.
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Flower Color
Gold/Yellow
Purple/Lavender
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Flower Shape
Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Symphyotrichum retroflexum Leaves
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Leaf Description
3-6 in. linear to elliptical leaves with serrulate or entire margins.
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Leaf Color
Green
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Symphyotrichum retroflexum Whole Plant Traits
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Symphyotrichum retroflexum Cultural Conditions
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Symphyotrichum retroflexum Fruit
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Symphyotrichum retroflexum Stem
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Symphyotrichum retroflexum Landscape
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Symphyotrichum retroflexum: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
