Symphyotrichum attenuatum (Lindl.) Semple

Gulf Coast Smooth Aster

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

**

This species has long since been recognized as Aster purpuratus Nees or the more recent combination Symphyotrichum laeve var. purpuratum (Nees) G.L. Nesom. It seems as though there is substantial taxonomic confusion with the Nees basionym with regard to multiple types of different entities and a lectotype chosen that originated from cultivated material in Paris from a native North American species (Jones 1984). This high level of ambiguity may prevent confident usage of the Nees name. However, if the type specimen of Nees combination demonstrated to be clear, it has priority over this combination, Symphyotrichum attenuatum (=Aster attenuatus Lindl.).

Native

Jones, A.G. 1984. Nomenclatural notes on Aster (Asteraceae) II. New combinations and some transfers. Phytologia 55: 373-388.