Eurybia compacta
Encyclopedia
Eurybia compacta, commonly known as the Slender Aster, is an herbaceous perennial native to the southeastern United States
. It is commonly found along the coastal plain
in dry sandy soils, especially in pinelands. While it is not considered to be in high danger of extinction, it is of conservation concern and has most likely been extirpated from much of its original range. The slender aster was for a long time believed to be a variety of E. surculosa
, but Guy Nesom's recent research within the genus has shown that it is distinct enough to be treated as a species. It has also been shown to be related to E. avita
and E. paludosa
. The flowers emerge from midsummer to the beginning of fall and show pale light violet to reddish purple ray florets and pale yellow disc florets at the center.
in 1818. Asa Gray
later decided that it was better treated as a variety of Aster surculosus
. When Guy Nesom decided to transfer many of the North American plants within the genus Aster to Eurybia, the plant needed to receive a new name
as a Eurybia gracilis had already been used for a different species named by George Bentham
in 1837, and now placed in Camptacra
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is commonly found along the coastal plain
Coastal plain
A coastal plain is an area of flat, low-lying land adjacent to a seacoast and separated from the interior by other features. One of the world's longest coastal plains is located in eastern South America. The southwestern coastal plain of North America is notable for its species diversity...
in dry sandy soils, especially in pinelands. While it is not considered to be in high danger of extinction, it is of conservation concern and has most likely been extirpated from much of its original range. The slender aster was for a long time believed to be a variety of E. surculosa
Eurybia surculosa
Eurybia surculosa, commonly known as the Creeping Aster, is an herbaceous perennial in the composite family that was previously treated in the genus Aster. It is native to the eastern United States where it is found primarily in sandy soils along the coastal plain, though when E. compacta is also...
, but Guy Nesom's recent research within the genus has shown that it is distinct enough to be treated as a species. It has also been shown to be related to E. avita
Eurybia avita
Eurybia avita, commonly called Alexander's Rock Aster, is an herbaceous perennial in the composite family that was formerly treated in the genus Aster. It is native to the southeastern United States where it only occurs in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia...
and E. paludosa
Eurybia paludosa
Eurybia paludosa, commonly known as the southern swamp aster, is an herbaceous perennial in the aster family. It is native to the southeastern United States where it is confined to the Carolinas and the states of Georgia and Florida. It is generally confined to moist soils, though it can...
. The flowers emerge from midsummer to the beginning of fall and show pale light violet to reddish purple ray florets and pale yellow disc florets at the center.
Taxonomy
The first name applied to the slender aster was Aster gracilis, which was given by Thomas NuttallThomas Nuttall
Thomas Nuttall was an English botanist and zoologist, who lived and worked in America from 1808 until 1841....
in 1818. Asa Gray
Asa Gray
-References:*Asa Gray. Dictionary of American Biography. American Council of Learned Societies, 1928–1936.*Asa Gray. Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998.*Asa Gray. Plant Sciences. 4 vols. Macmillan Reference USA, 2001....
later decided that it was better treated as a variety of Aster surculosus
Eurybia surculosa
Eurybia surculosa, commonly known as the Creeping Aster, is an herbaceous perennial in the composite family that was previously treated in the genus Aster. It is native to the eastern United States where it is found primarily in sandy soils along the coastal plain, though when E. compacta is also...
. When Guy Nesom decided to transfer many of the North American plants within the genus Aster to Eurybia, the plant needed to receive a new name
Nomen novum
In biological nomenclature, a nomen novum , new replacement name is a technical term...
as a Eurybia gracilis had already been used for a different species named by George Bentham
George Bentham
George Bentham CMG FRS was an English botanist, characterized by Duane Isely as "the premier systematic botanist of the nineteenth century".- Formative years :...
in 1837, and now placed in Camptacra
Camptacra
Camptacra is a genus of flowering plants in the daisy family, Asteraceae....
.