Heterotheca camporum (Greene) Shinners var. glandulissima Semple

Nashville Camphorweed; Prairie Golden Aster; Lemon Yellow Golden Aster

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Prairie Golden Aster is a native perennial wildflower in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is found in scattered locations across Alabama, usually in areas with exposed limestone. Prairie Golden Aster grows on chalk outcrops, in prairies, along railroads, and in cedar glades. It has stems from one to three feet in height with alternate leaves. The stems have soft whitish hairs and stalked glands. The flowers are produced in heads. Both the ray and disc flowers are lemon yellow. The variety glandulissimum seems to have appeared after 1925. The typical variety was found only in Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Between 1925 and 1949 the new variety arose and spread to Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. Since 1950 it has spread throughout the southeastern United States. Prairie Golden Aster is offered for sale by several wildflower nurseries. In grows well in poor, dry soil in full sunlight. Once established it is drought tolerant. There are some reports of the species becoming weedy. You can prevent the spread of the plant by cutting off the stems near the ground after the flowers have faded and before the seed mature.--A. Diamond

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Native

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