Ionactis linariifolia (Linnaeus) Greene. Common name: Stiff-leaved Aster. Phenology: Jul-Nov. Habitat: Dry pine savannas, longleaf pine sandhills, pine flatwoods, prairie-like openings, glades, and barrens, high elevation rock outcrops and glades, to at least 1450 m, dry roadbanks, woodland edges, rocky woodlands. Distribution: ME and QC west to WI, south to ne. FL, Panhandle FL, and TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: There appears to be substantial variation in I. linariifolia, with montane (and northern) populations having considerably longer and broader leaves than Coastal Plain (and southern) populations; additional study is needed. Nesom (2020h) described a new species, I. repens, from the Gulf Coastal Plain, but substantial variation remains taxonomically unaccounted for, including plants in xeric longleaf pine sandhills of the Carolinas that have narrow leaves, one or a few heads on long 'peduncles', but lack the creeping rhizomes of I. repens.
Synonymy ⓘ: = K4, POWO, Nesom (2020h); < Aster linariifolius L. — C, G, GrPl, Oh3, RAB, SE1, Tat, W, WV; >< Aster linariifolius L. var. linariifolius — F; > Aster linariifolius L. var. victorinii Fernald — F; < Ionactis linariifolia (L.) Greene — Ar, Fl7, FNA20, NE, NY, Tn, Tx, Va, WH3, Nesom & Leary (1992); < Ionactis linariifolius (L.) Greene — Il, Pa, S, orthographic variant. Basionym: Aster linariifolius L. 1753
Links to other floras: < Ionactis linariifolia - FNA20
Show parent genus | Show parent in key(s)
Heliophily ⓘ: 8
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend.
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Radford, Ahles and Bell | Original Image ⭷Feedback
See something wrong or missing on about Ionactis linariifolia? Let us know here: (Please include your name and email if at all complicated so we can clarify if needed.) We greatly appreciate feedback, and will include updates from you in our next webapp update, which can take a few months. If a species is not keyed, that's because keying is ongoing. Please don't send us feedback about unkeyed species.
Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect, clumped perennial of dry savannas, sandhills, flatwoods, prairie-like openings, glades, barrens, rock outcrops and road banks.
Stems: Stems few to many forming dense tussocks, branched above in inflorescence, greenish-yellow to reddish, hairy.
Leaves: Leaves alternate (appearing whorled), sessile, linear, to 1 1/2 in. long, stiffly spreading, shiny dark green above, paler below, rough-hairy.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Daisy-like composite flowers (heads) 1-many on short branches near top of stem; heads about 1 in. wide, consisting of 7-20 violet ray florets encircling a center disk of yellow tubular florets. Several series of green and white bracts surround the cylindrical base of each head.
Fruits:
Comments:
Height: 12-18 in.
plant sale text: Stiff-leaf aster has an upright growth habit and is very showy in bloom. This southeastern native perennial blooms for many weeks, often until frost, with 1-inch daisy-like flowers in clusters. Stiff-leaf aster has durable foliage that looks attractive throughout the growing season. The Cherokee used the roots of this plant for a variety of medicinal uses, including treating pain and fevers.
bloom table text:
description: Erect, clumped perennial of dry savannas, sandhills, flatwoods, prairie-like openings, glades, barrens, rock outcrops and road banks.
stems: Stems few to many forming dense tussocks, branched above in inflorescence, greenish-yellow to reddish, hairy.
leaves: Leaves alternate (appearing whorled), sessile, linear, to 1 1/2 in. long, stiffly spreading, shiny dark green above, paler below, rough-hairy.
inflorescence:
flowers: Daisy-like composite flowers (heads) 1-many on short branches near top of stem; heads about 1 in. wide, consisting of 7-20 violet ray florets encircling a center disk of yellow tubular florets. Several series of green and white bracts surround the cylindrical base of each head.
fruits:
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code: 1
native range: eastern & central N. America
0 unsaved edits on this page.