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Symphyotrichum plumosum

(Small) Semple

Plumose Aster

G2Imperiled (G2G3) Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G2ImperiledGlobal Rank
High - mediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.143710
Element CodePDAST0T3R0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single state or province
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderAsterales
FamilyAsteraceae
GenusSymphyotrichum
Synonyms
Aster plumosusSmall
Concept Reference
Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2006b. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 20. Magnoliophyta: Asteridae, part 7: Asteraceae, part 2. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxii + 666 pp.
Taxonomic Comments
Most treatments (FNA 2006b, Weakley 2020, Wunderlin et al. 2021) recognize Symphyotrichum plumosum as distinct from Symphyotrichum concolor, which is sometimes treated as a synonym of Symphyotrichum concolor (Kartesz 1999).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-12-04
Change Date2024-12-04
Edition Date2024-12-04
Edition AuthorsHardin, E.D., & S.T. Cooper (1991), rev. Treher (2021), rev. Jenkins (2024)
Threat ImpactHigh - medium
Range Extent1000-20,000 square km (about 400-8000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank Reasons
Symphyotrichum plumosum is a Florida (U.S.A.) endemic that is restricted to the central panhandle of the state, where it is appears to be rare based on available data. The species is threatened by habitat loss and alteration due to land use changes and potentially, fire suppression. Surveys are needed to refine our understanding of the species geographic range, document population sizes and threats, and in the longer term, to determine trends.
Range Extent Comments
Symphyotrichum plumosum is restricted to Florida in the southeastern United States, where it occurs in central panhandle (FNA 2006b, Weakley 2020). It has been reported from Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla Counties (SEINet 2021, Wunderlin et al 2021). Reports from Maryland are erroneous. Based on iNaturalist observations, range extent was estimated to be 4,731 km² (GeoCat 2023, iNaturalist 2023).
Occurrences Comments
It is likely that there are more than 20 occurrences based on herbarium records and photo-based observations (iNaturalist 2021, SEINet 2021, Wunderlin et al. 2021). There are less than 20 reports of this species in the last 20 years but older specimens suggest there are more than 20 occurrences.
Threat Impact Comments
The species is threatened by habitat loss which could be due to development or conversion of lands for pine plantations. Intensive site preparation for pine plantations and drastic changes in hydrology can eliminate this species through habitat alteration and direct destruction of plants. It is reported that the species responds well to fire and other disturbances, so fire suppression and subsequent habitat succession is a likely threat.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

This species occurs in deep, dryish to moist sands of longleaf pine flatwoods, pine-scrub oak woods, and sandhills at elevations of 0 to 40 meters (FNA 2006b, Weakley 2020).

Ecology

This species seems to favor some disturbance, as it it is often present in recently burned or clearcut areas (FNA 2006b).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandForest - ConiferWoodland - ConiferWoodland - Mixed
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN2
ProvinceRankNative
FloridaS2Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentUnknownUnknownHigh (continuing)
2 - Agriculture & aquacultureLarge - restrictedSerious or 31-70% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
2.2 - Wood & pulp plantationsLarge - restrictedSerious or 31-70% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
7 - Natural system modificationsLarge - restricted—High (continuing)
7.1 - Fire & fire suppressionLarge - restricted—High (continuing)
7.1.2 - Suppression in fire frequency/intensityLarge - restricted—High (continuing)

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Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (1)
Florida (1)
AreaForestAcres
SavannahApalachicola National Forest1,927
References (6)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2006b. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 20. Magnoliophyta: Asteridae, part 7: Asteraceae, part 2. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxii + 666 pp.
  2. iNaturalist. 2021. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2021).
  3. Kartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.
  4. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2021. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2021).
  5. Weakley, A.S. 2020. Flora of the Southeastern United States. 20 October 2020 Edition. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU), North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  6. Wunderlin, R.P., B. Hansen, A. Franck, and F.B. Essig. 2020. Atlas of Florida Plants (http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/).[S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa. (accessed 2020).