Northern Bog Aster. Summary. Protection Threatened in New York State, not listed federally.

Transcription

1 Northern Bog Aster Symphyotrichum boreale Scientific Name Family Name Symphyotrichum boreale (Torr. & Gray) A. & D. Löve Asteraceae Aster Family Photo credits: Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. 1989; downloaded from the USDA Plants Database Summary Protection Threatened in New York State, not listed federally. Rarity G5, S2 Did you know? The difficulty of exploring the wet, unstable, and often shrubby bog habitat of this aster prevents many people from seeing it. Even when the habitat is surveyed this aster's narrow stems and leaves are often overlooked unless it is flowering. This level of state protection means: listed species are those with: 1) 6 to fewer than 20 extant sites, or 2) 1,000 to fewer than 3,000 individuals, or 3) restricted to not less than 4 or more than 7 U.S.G.S. 7 ½ minute topographical maps, or 4) listed as threatened by U.S. Department of Interior. A global rarity rank of G5 means: This species is demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. A state rarity rank of S2 means: This plant is threatened/imperiled in New York because of rarity (typically 6-20 populations or few remaining individuals) or is vulnerable to extirpation from New York due to biological factors. Conservation Status in New York There are 15 known populations and equally as many historical populations. More surveys are needed at these historical locations. This aster has a broad distribution across the state, but a rather narrow habitat requirement (bogs and fens). It is unclear if this is truly a rare plant, or if it is often overlooked. Short-term Trends There is a stable population within its range in New York. Five of the original 23 historical records have been rediscovered and nine new occurrences have been found since NYNHP Conservation Guide - Northern Bog Aster (Symphyotrichum boreale)

2 Long-term Trends There are as many current populations as have been known in the past so there does not seem to be a decline over the long term. Populations should continue to remain steady because much of its habitat is protected or under low threat. Conservation and Management Threats Some development is taking place near a couple of sites where it occurs but there appears to be no direct threat to the wetlands. Conservation Strategies and Management Practices Provide a large buffer to the wetlands where it occurs to protect the water quality and preserve the hydrology of the wetlands. Research Needs There are no research needs to report at this time. Habitat An aster mainly of calcareous fens, particularly rich shrub fens and medium fens, but also found in openings within coniferous swamps, sedge meadows, and possibly shorelines of lakes and ponds (New York Natural Heritage Program 2005). Rare in cold bogs (Rhoads and Block 2000, as Aster borealis). Fens, bogs, open conifer swamps (cedar, tamarack, spruce); wet, often sedgy, sand flats, shores, meadows, and swales (Voss 1996, as Aster borealis). Cold bogs (Gleason and Cronquist 1991, as Aster borealis). Calcareous bogs, swamps, wet gravels and shores (Fernald 1970, as Aster borealis). Associated Ecological Communities Inland Poor Fen A wetland fed by acidic water from springs and seeps. Plant remains in these fens do not decompose rapidly and thus the plants in these fens usually grow on older, undecomposed plant parts of mostly sphagnum mosses. Medium Fen A wetland fed by water from springs and seeps. These waters are slightly acidic (ph values generally range from 4.5 to 6.5) and contain some dissolved minerals. Plant remains in these fens do not decompose rapidly and thus the plants in these fens usually grow on older, undecomposed plant parts of woody material, grasses, and mosses. Red Maple-tamarack Peat Swamp A swamp that occurs on organic soils (peat or muck) in poorly drained depressions. These swamps are often spring fed or enriched by seepage of mineral-rich groundwater resulting in a stable water table and continually saturated soil. The dominant trees are red maple and tamarack. These species usually form an open canopy (50 to 70% cover) with numerous small openings dominated by shrubs or sedges. NYNHP Conservation Guide - Northern Bog Aster (Symphyotrichum boreale) 2

3 Rich Graminoid Fen A wetland of mostly grasses usually fed by water from highly calcareous springs or seepage. These waters have high concentrations of minerals and high ph values, generally from 6.0 to 7.8. Plant remains do not decompose rapidly and these grasses usually grow on older, undecomposed plant parts. Rich Shrub Fen A wetland with many shrubs that is usually fed by water from springs and seeps. These waters have high concentrations of minerals and high ph values, generally from 6.0 to 7.8. Plant remains in these fens do not decompose rapidly and thus the plants in these fens usually grow on older, undecomposed woody plant parts. Sedge Meadow A wet meadow community that has organic soils (muck or fibrous peat). Soils are permanently saturated and seasonally flooded. The dominant herbs must be members of the sedge family, typically of the genus Carex. Other Probable Associated Communities Marl pond shore Northern white cedar swamp Rich hemlock-hardwood peat swamp Associated Species Red Maple (Acer rubrum var. rubrum) Freeman Maple (Acer x freemanii) Blue-joint Reedgrass (Calamagrostis canadensis) American Woollyfruit Sedge (Carex lasiocarpa) Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) Twig Rush (Cladium mariscoides) Spoon-leaved Sundew (Drosera intermedia) Beaked Spike-rush (Eleocharis rostellata) Pale Laurel (Kalmia polifolia) Tamarack (Larix laricina) Menyanthes trifoliata var. minor Sweet Bayberry (Myrica gale) White Beakrush (Rhynchospora alba) Pitcher-plant (Sarracenia purpurea) Bog Goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa) Alpine Cotton-grass (Trichophorum alpinum) Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Large Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) Identification Comments Northern bog aster grows from very slender underground runners less than 1/16" thick. The very slender stems, about 1/8" thick, grow from 6 inches to 3 feet tall and are hairless in the lower half but have lines of hairs in the upper half. The stem leaves are long and narrow with a long pointed tip and a base that is rounded to slightly clasping the stem. The rough margins are inrolled and may have a few scattered teeth but usually have no teeth at NYNHP Conservation Guide - Northern Bog Aster (Symphyotrichum boreale) 3

4 all. The main vein on the underside of the leaf is sometimes hairy. The lower leaves have often withered and fallen off by the time the plant flowers. There are up to 20 branches at the top of the plant with one flower head at the end of each branch. Small plants usually only have one flower at the top. The small leaf bracts around the bottom of the flower head are overlapping and held tight to the head. There are white to pale rose or bluish ray flowers, 1/2 to 3/4" in length, around a yellow disk which turns purplish-brown with age. The flattened fruits have one rib on each side and are sparsely hairy. Best Life Stage for Identifying This Species This aster is best identified when in flower, although those very familiar with this plant may be able to identify it vegetatively. To verify the identification, a voucher specimen of the entire plant should be collected. This voucher should include the stem with roots and flowers or fruits. The Best Time to See This aster may be flowering between mid-july through early October, although most plants have finished blooming by early September. Since this plant is likely overlooked, surveys should be conducted during the peak blooming period (late July through August). Vegetative Flowering Fruiting Similar Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec The time of year you would expect to find Northern Bog Aster in New York. Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (Aster lanceolatus) has leaves that are sessile, on a short petiole, or slightly clasping the stem. The rhizome is thicker (usually at least 2.5 mm thick, and there are many flower heads (more than 20), with ray flowers on each head. These ray flowers are white to lavender or blue. The leaves are also usually broader (5-20+ mm broad). Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (Aster lateriflorus) has flowering heads that are smaller (4-5 mm high), and 9-14 ray flowers (white to pale purple). This is also a plant typically found in dry habitats. Symphyotrichum puniceum (Aster puniceus) has larger flowering heads (6-12 mm high), and ray flowers (usually blue, but sometimes ranges to rose or white). This plant also has more numerous leaves which clasp at the base, and stems with long hairs. There are reported hybrids between Symphyotrichum boreale and both Symphyotrichum lanceolatus and Symphyotrichum punicum. These exhibit characters intermediate between the parents. Taxonomy Kingdom Plantae NYNHP Conservation Guide - Northern Bog Aster (Symphyotrichum boreale) 4

5 Phylum Class Anthophyta Dicots (Dicotyledoneae) Order Asterales Family Additional Common Names Bog Aster Boreal Aster Northern Aster Rush Aster Rush-like Aster Asteraceae (Aster Family) Synonyms Aster laxifolius var. borealis (Torr. & Gray) Aster borealis ((Torr. & Gray) Prov.) Aster junciformis (Rydb.) Additional Resources Links New York Flora Atlas USDA Plants Database Symphyotrichum+boreale# rdquery= Symphyotrichum+boreale NatureServe Explorer e# eale Google Images mages?q=symphyotrichum+boreale Best Identification Reference Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. 910 pp. References Fernald, M.L Gray's manual of botany. 8th edition. D. Van Nostrand, New York pp. Gleason, Henry A The New Britton and Brown Illustrated Flora of the Northeastern United States and Canada. Holmgren, Noel The Illustrated Companion to Gleason and Cronquist's Manual. Illustrations NYNHP Conservation Guide - Northern Bog Aster (Symphyotrichum boreale) 5

6 of the Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. Keys, Jr.,J.; Carpenter, C.; Hooks, S.; Koenig, F.; McNab, W.H.; Russell, W.;Smith, M.L Ecological units of the eastern United States - first approximation (cd-rom), Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. GIS coverage in ARCINFO format, selected imagery, and map unit tables. Mitchell, Richard S. and Gordon C. Tucker Revised Checklist of New York State Plants. Contributions to a Flora of New York State. Checklist IV. Bulletin No New York State Museum. Albany, NY. 400 pp. NatureServe NatureServe Central Databases. Arlington, Virginia. USA New York Natural Heritage Program Biotics database. New York Natural Heritage Program. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Albany, NY. Reschke, Carol Ecological communities of New York State. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Latham, NY. 96 pp. plus xi. Rhoads, Ann F. and Timothy A. Block The Plants of Pennsylvania, an Illustrated Manual. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, PA. Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln, Nebraska Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Semple, John C., Stephen B. Heard and ChunSheng Xiang The Asters of Ontario (Conpositae: Astereae): Diplactis Raf., Oclemena Greene, Doellingeria Nees and Aster L. (including Canadanthus Nesom, Symphyotrichum Nees and Virgulus Raf.). Voss, E.G Michigan Flora. Part III. Dicots (Pyrolaceae-Compositae). Cranbrook Institute of Science Bulletin 61 and Univ. Michigan Herbarium. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 622 pp. Weldy, T. and D. Werier New York flora atlas. [S.M. Landry, K.N. Campbell, and L.D. Mabe (original application development), Florida Center for Community Design and Research University of South Florida New York Flora Association Albany, New York New York Natural Heritage Program 625 Broadway, 5th Floor, Albany, NY Phone: (518) acris@nynhp.org This project is made possible with funding from: - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program - Division of Lands & Forests, Department of Environmental Conservation - New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Information for this guide was last updated on Aug 15, 2017 This guide was authored by NYNHP Conservation Guide - Northern Bog Aster (Symphyotrichum boreale) 6