Symphyotrichum laeve var. concinnum

Leaves: basal withering by flow­ering, linear-lanceolate to linear, slightly auriculate-clasping, often more than 5 times as long as wide. Phyllaries strongly unequal, apical green zones diamond-shaped. 2n = 48.

Flowering Sep-Oct. Dry open woods, mostly on Piedmont and in mountains; 50-1000 m; Ala., Del., D.C., Fla. Ga., Ky., Md., Miss., N.C., Pa., S.C., Tenn., Va., W.Va.

The range of var. concinnum overlaps little with that of var. laeve, being confined to the eastern side of the Appalachian Mountains and to the Piedmont. When subsp. laeve is recognized, var. concinnum belongs to Symphyotrichum laeve subsp. concinnum (Willdenow) Semple & Brouillet.

Much like no. 9 [Aster laevis L.] and perhaps only varietally distinct, but with narrower, often less evidently glaucous lvs, the principal ones only slightly or not at all clasping, often petiolate, seldom more than 2.5 cm wide and seldom less than 5 times as long as wide (petiole included in the length); infl avg more diffusely branched, with more numerous and smaller bracts, the heads mostly long-pedunculate; 2n=48. Dry woods and open places; s. Appalachian region from s. Pa. to Ga. and Ala.

Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

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