Georgia Aster

By: Anna Ventre

The Georgia Aster or otherwise known as the Symphyotrichum Gerogianum Nesom and is part of the Asteraceae family. This purple herb is found in mostly Savannah of Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina, and more towards the  opening of pine forest. The flower head shaped like hearts are more than 2 inches long and the stems are only 20-40 inches tall. Since the mid 1990s around 65 populations have been discovered. (Georgia Wildlife)

This delicate flower is now considered a candidate for Endangered species since it has been on the list of the Endangered Species Acts of 1973. Developments near highways, pine forest and pastures have destroyed the Georgia Aster habitat. Along with herbicides and pest spray have been destroying the flowers environment. (National Park Service)

The Georgia Aster thrives when a fire or grazing is around its environment, which helps the plant reproduce. It is also able to withstand from being destroyed from human intervention like pulling weeds or mowing. Places such as the Chattahochee River, which is a National Recreation Area provides refugee for this plant. The park provides a natural environment that is isolated from humans and other developed that could harm its habitat. The Georgia Wildlife Resources is another program that continues to try and save the Georgia Aster plant. (National Park Service) (Georgia Wildlife)

Cited

Gregk. Symphyotrichum_georgianumx (n.d.): n. pag. Web.

United States. National Park Service. “Georgia Aster.” National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 15 Mar. 2015. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.

“About Georgia Aster.” Endangered Plants & Animals. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.