Common Name:

General Information

Symphyotrichum prenanthoides is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from long creeping rhizomes; it forms a colony of erect to ascending, much-branched stems 20 - 90cm tall, occasionally to 120cm[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, especially in native landscape gardens, where it can be used as a ground cover[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Eastern N. America - Minnesota to Massachussets, south to Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina

Habitat

Moist or swampy grounds, woods, thickets, meadows, seeps, stream banks, roadsides; atelevations from 100 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant grows wild in moist, loamy soils, full sun to partial shade in riparian and forest edge habitats[]. Prefers a neutral to slightly acidic soil[].
The plant can spread freely by means of stolons and may need regular thinning in order to control its spread[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A tea made from the roots has been used to treat fevers in babies and colds and kidney ailments in adults[].

Agroforestry Uses:

An adaptable, easy to grow ground cover for dry, sunny locations[].
The plant will grow on disturbed sites and can be used for wildlife habitat restoration[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to become dry. Pre-chilling the seed for two weeks can improve germination rates[]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks at 20°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring or autumn[]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whist smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.
Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.