Aster subulatus
Images by part: leaf (5) · flower (5) · fruit (0) · bark (0) · habit (1) · other (0)

Aster subulatus

Annual Saltmarsh-Aster · Bushy Starwort · Sea Aster

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
0
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 3–8
Click count
65
0

Description

Source: leafsnap

Symphyotrichum subulatum (formerly Aster subulatus), commonly known as eastern annual saltmarsh aster or, in Britain and Ireland where it is naturalized, annual saltmarsh aster, is an annual plant in the family Asteraceae native to the eastern United States and the Gulf Coast to Texas. The species grows primarily in coastal salt marshes, although in the Ozarks it occurs as a non-marine weedy variety.

🌳 The eastern annual saltmarsh aster's showy flowers are not its only notable trait. It functions as an important environmental indicator by signaling saline conditions in marshes. When it occurs in large numbers in wetlands, it can mark zones of high salinity. Despite its ecological value, the eastern annual saltmarsh aster has not been developed for commercial uses such as oil extraction or culinary applications.

🎭 Affection

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

The Eastern yearly saltmarsh aster is a plant that flourishes under an abundance of sunlight for most of the day. Although it can survive in less lit areas or complete shadow, these conditions are not ideal for its development. Its original habitat is recognized for receiving broad daylight exposure daily. Cloudy weather can hinder its robust growth, and too much sunlight may lead to stress.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 0–32.2°C

The Eastern annual saltmarsh aster is indigenous to temperate climates and flourishes in temperatures between 68 and 95 °F (20 to 35 ℃). During seasonal transitions to colder settings, careful and gradual adaptations may be necessary to prevent shock.

Ideal temperature: 0–32.2°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

When the majority of the blossoms on the Eastern annual saltmarsh aster have unfolded completely, it indicates the onset of another fertilizing phase. Begin the fertilization process again on a regular basis of every three to four weeks coinciding with the time of maximum flower yield, provided conditions are favourable. However, once the Eastern annual saltmarsh aster starts producing fewer blossoms, cease the fertilization. There's no requirement for it when the plant lacks the ability to create more flowers.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Annual, Biennial
Genus
Aster
Family
Compositae
Hardiness Zone
3-8
Mature Height
91 cm
Mature Spread
20 cm to 40 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
White, Purple
Flower Size
1.27 cm
Bloom Time
Mid summer, Late summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Late summer, Early fall
Native Area
Bahamas, Belize, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Jamaica

Tags (6)

Common Names (3)

en Annual Saltmarsh-Aster
en Bushy Starwort
en Sea Aster