{{Short description|Species of plant in the aster family}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}} {{Use shortened footnotes|date=July 2021}} {{Use American English|date=July 2021}} {{Speciesbox | image = Symphyotrichum sericeum (15354337036).jpg | range_map = Symphyotrichum sericeum distribution.png | range_map_alt = Symphyotrichum sericeum native distribution map: Canada — Manitoba and Ontario; US — Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. | range_map_caption = Native distribution{{sfn|POWO|2024}} | status = G5 | status_system = TNC | status_ref = {{sfn|NatureServe|2021}} | display_parents = 4 | parent = Symphyotrichum subg. Virgulus | genus = Symphyotrichum | species = sericeum | authority = (Vent.) G.L.Nesom{{sfn|POWO|2024}} | synonyms_ref = {{sfn|POWO|2024}} | synonyms = '''Basionym'''<br/> *''Aster sericeus'' {{small|Vent.}} {{Collapsible list|title=Alphabetical list | {{Species list | Aster argenteus | Michx. | Aster montanus | Nutt., nom. illeg. | Aster sericeus var. montanus | A.Gray | Aster sibiricus | Turcz. ex Torr. & A.Gray | Aster subspathulatus | Rydb. | Lasallea sericea | (Vent.) Greene | Virgulus sericeus | (Vent.) Reveal & Keener | }} }} }}

'''''Symphyotrichum sericeum''''' (formerly ''Aster sericeus'') is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to central North America. Commonly known as '''western silver aster''',{{sfn|USDA|2014}} '''western silvery aster''',{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}} and '''silky aster''',{{sfn|Missouri Botanical Garden|n.d.}} it is a perennial, herbaceous plant that may reach {{convert|70|cm|ft|abbr=off|sp=us|frac=4}} tall. Its flowers have purple ray florets and pink then purple disk florets, and its leaves are firm and silvery-green.

==Description== ''Symphyotrichum sericeum'' is a perennial herb growing from rhizomes that may reach {{convert|70|cm|ft|abbr=off|sp=us|frac=4}} tall. Leaf texture is sericeous, giving the leaves a silvery-green appearance. The inflorescences are erect and parallel, and the involucral bracts of the flower heads are ovate to lanceolate in shape and sericeous. The flowers have purple ray florets and pink then purple disk florets. The fruit is a cypsela.{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}} <gallery heights=150px> File:Symphyotrichum sericeum 10135056.jpg|''Symphyotrichum sericeum'' leaves close-up File:Symphyotrichum sericeum 9796746.jpg|''Symphyotrichum sericeum'' inflorescence </gallery>

==Distribution and habitat== The species is native to central North America in the states and provinces of Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.{{Sfn|POWO|2024}}

It can be found in dry sandy or partially sandy, limestone, or calcareous soil at elevations of {{Convert|100–500|m|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} or higher.{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}}

==Conservation== {{As of|2021|July}}, NatureServe listed ''Symphyotrichum sericeum'' as Secure (G5) worldwide, last reviewed in 2002, with state and province statuses as follows: Critically Imperiled (S1) in Ontario and Oklahoma; and, Imperiled (S2) in Manitoba, North Dakota, Michigan, Indiana, and Arkansas.{{sfn|NatureServe|2021}}

==Citations== {{Reflist|20em}}

==References== {{refbegin}} *{{Cite eFloras | 1 | 250067684 | Symphyotrichum sericeum | volume = 20 | date = 2006 | last1 = Brouillet | first1 = L. | author-link1 = Luc Brouillet | last2 = Semple | first2 = J.C. | author-link2 = John C. Semple | last3 = Allen | first3 = G.A. | author-link3 = Geraldine A. Allen | last4 = Chambers | first4 = K.L. | author-link4 = Kenton Lee Chambers | last5 = Sundberg | first5 = S.D. | author-link5 = Scott D. Sundberg | access-date = 15 July 2021 | via = eFloras }} *{{Cite web | author1 = Missouri Botanical Garden | author-link1 = Missouri Botanical Garden | date = n.d. | title = ''Symphyotrichum sericeum'' - Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder | url = http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=291806 | website = www.missouribotanicalgarden.org | location = St. Louis | access-date = 15 July 2021 }} *{{Cite web | author1 = NatureServe | author-link1 = NatureServe | date = 2 July 2021 | title = ''Symphyotrichum sericeum'' Western Silvery Aster | url = https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.138090/Symphyotrichum_sericeum | website = explorer.natureserve.org | location = Arlington, Virginia | access-date = 15 July 2021 }} *{{Cite POWO | id = 981898-1 | last = POWO | date = 2024 | title = ''Symphyotrichum sericeum'' (Vent.) G.L.Nesom | access-date = 24 October 2024 }} *{{Cite PLANTS|ref = {{sfnRef|USDA|2014}} | author1 = | date = 2014 | id = SYSE2 | taxon = Symphyotrichum sericeum | access-date = 15 July 2021 }} {{refend}}

{{Taxonbar|from1=Q7661737|from2=Q38783166}}

sericeum Category:Flora of Canada Category:Flora of the United States Category:Plants described in 1800 Category:Taxa named by Étienne Pierre Ventenat