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Purple-stemmed Aster
Symphyotrichum puniceum

a.k.a. Purplestem Aster

Purple-stemmed aster prefers wet soils and attracts many insects and pollinators.

USDA symbol: SYPU

General Information

Plant TypeForb
Height2 to 3 feet
Light ExposureSun
Soil MoistureWet
Bloom ColorWhite, Purple, Pink
Purple-stemmed Aster (Purple-stemmed Aster<div><em class="small">Symphyotrichum puniceum</em></div>)
Photo credit: United States Department of Agriculture (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceModerate
General Resilience8
Salt ToleranceNone
Stress ToleranceFire Tolerant

Pollinator Value: Very High

Bloom MonthsJuly to August
Larval Host ofBees
Specific Pollinators HostedNumerous bee species
Pollinator BenefitInsect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Stem Nesting, Supports Generalists

Project Planning

Project TypeBoulevard, Rain Garden, Shoreline Buffer
Coefficient of Conservatism6
Herbivore SensitivityLow
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadFast
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyAitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Rice, Roseau, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Stevens, Todd, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright
EcoregionDriftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands