Redstem Aster, Purple-stemmed Aster, Symphyotrichum puniceum (L.) [Aster puniceus], Native Minnesota Wildflower plant, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	Redstem Aster & Purplestem Aster	Symphyotrichum puniceum (L.) A. Löve & D. Löve [OLD - Aster puniceus]	Aster	Woodland	Autumn
Other names and notes	This is a tall aster of the Woodland Garden, found on the bog path as it prefers a moist base. The blue-violet to purple rayed flowers are 1 to 1 1/2" wide, with 30 to 60 rays, the stems stout, hairy and reddish-purple. The larger leaves have shallow teeth and taper to a base that clasps the stem. Flowers are in loose open clusters of several to many. The center of the flower has a reddish tinge to the bottom of the stamens in mature flowers but not in newly opened ones. The Garden census separates Redstem Aster from Purplestem Aster by assigning the name S. puniceum (L.) A. Löve & D. Löve var. puniceum to Purplestem Aster. Both botanical names are considered synonyms for Redstem Aster.


Below: Note the lack of the reddish tinge at the bottom of the stamens on this newly opened flower.	Above: The reddish tinge at the bottom of the stamens on this old flower is clearly visible.	Above: The stout, reddish, hairy stem with clasping leaves. Below: The long bracts of the flower head.

Notes: An early reference to this plant in the Garden was contained in Eloise Butler's entry in the 33rd Report of the Board of Park Commissioners for 1915. She listed 19 asters as present in the Garden and two were of the Redstem type. Using the botanical name current at that time she listed Aster puniceus and Aster puniceus var lucidulus. Both names have now been consolidated in the species listed above. This plant was listed on Martha Crone's 1951 inventory of plants in the Garden at that time and presumably has been in the Garden all this time. As this plant prefers moist soil, it is plant is native to most of Minnesota except counties in the dryer west and SW. There are two similar varieties native to these areas of the state, Symphyotrichum puniceum (L.) A. Löve & D. Löve and Symphyotrichum puniceum (L.) A. Löve & D. Löve var. puniceum - both carry the common name of Purplestem Aster. The plants range is generally from Minnesota east to the coast and most of sub-artic Canada. It is endangered in several eastern states.

Lore: There are a few references, such as Meeker, that note the use of this plant by Native Americans, specifically the Ojibwa and the Iroquois. Densmore, in her study of the White Earth Ojibwa is quite specific in that tendrils of the root were gathered and smoked with tobacco to create a "charm" to attract wild game. New England Aster was used for the same purpose.

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References: Plant characteristics are generally from sources 15, 16, 30, 31, 33, W2 & W3. Distribution principally from W2 and also 31, 34 and W1. Planting history generally from 1, 4 & 4a. Other sources by specific reference. See Reference List for details.

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