Pityopsis aequilifolia (Bowers & Semple) E. Bridges & Orzell. Scrub Goldenaster. Phen: Jul-Oct. Hab: Longleaf pine sandhills, Florida scrub. Dist: Peninsular FL (Clay and Bradford counties southward).

Origin/Endemic status: Endemic

Taxonomy Comments: See Bridges & Orzell (2018b) for detailed discussion. Nesom (2019a) has a narrower interpretation of the range of this species, with a southern limit in northern Polk County, Florida. The morphological and geographic boundaries between P. aequilifolia and P. latifolia need further study, and may be influenced by occasional introgression with P. tracyi. P. aequilifolia is densely cespitose, in contrast with the rhizomatous nature of most species of Pityopsis in peninsular Florida. This taxon is diploid (2n=18).

Synonymy: = K4, Bridges & Orzell (2018b) in Weakley et al (2018a), Nesom (2019a); = Heterotheca microcephala (Small) Shinners var. aequilifolia F.D.Bowers – Bowers (1972), not validly published; = Pityopsis graminifolia (Michx.) Nutt. var. aequilifolia F.D.Bowers & Semple – FNA20, K1, K3, Semple & Bowers (1985); < Chrysopsis graminifolia (Michx.) Elliott var. microcephala (Small) Cronquist – SE1; < Pityopsis graminifolia (Michx.) Nutt. – WH3; < Pityopsis microcephala (Small) Small – S

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Great Plains: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
• Midwest: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily: 8