Aster praealtus
Willow aster

Key Characteristics

Perennial forb of moist fields and prairies; leaves sessile with prominent veins, numerous, without teeth; flowers blue.

Status and Rank

  • State Status: SC - Special Concern (rare or uncertain; not legally protected)
  • State Rank: S3 - Vulnerable
  • Global Rank: G5 - Secure

Occurrences

County NameNumber of OccurrencesYear Last Observed
Lenawee11951
Monroe22005
Washtenaw32004
Occurrence Map for [Sname]

Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.

Habitat

Occurs in moist fields, prairie fens, and remnant lakeplain prairies, occasionally in weedy successional openings.

Natural Community Types

Associated Plants

Colic root, little bluestem, big bluestem, shrubby cinquefoil, poison sumac, tamarack, beak-rush, seedbox, three-awned grass, tick-trefoil, rough goldenrod, Riddel's goldenrod, coastal plain flat-topped goldenrod, sedges, rushes (Juncus marginatus, J. canadensis, J. biflorus, J. brachycarpus), and other aster species.

Management

Maintain natural hydrological regime for this species. Prescribed fire may be necessary to conserve populations.

General Survey Guidelines

Random meander search covers areas that appear likely to have rare taxa, based on habitat and the judgment of the investigator.

Survey Methods

References

Survey References

Technical References

Page Citation

Michigan Natural Features Inventory. 2007. Rare Species Explorer (Web Application). Available online at http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/explorer [Accessed Feb 9, 2010]