Eurybia avita
Encyclopedia
Eurybia avita, commonly called Alexander's Rock Aster, is an herbaceous perennial in the composite family
that was formerly treated in the genus Aster. It is native to the southeastern United States
where it only occurs in North Carolina
, South Carolina
and Georgia
. It is of conservation concern as it is found in less than 50 sites, typically only in sandy soils near granite
flatrocks, and it is most likely already extirpated in North Carolina. Its habitat is threatened by development and the recreational use of the area where it grows. It is very similar to both E. surculosa
and E. paludosa
and more research needs to be done to determine the exact relationship between the three species. The flowers emerge in the late summer to early fall to show bluish white to deep violet ray florets and yellow disc florets.
, but that population no longer exists. It is typically found between 100 and 500 metre elevations growing in shallow and sandy soils around the edges of granite
flatrock outcropings.
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
that was formerly treated in the genus Aster. It is native to the southeastern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where it only occurs in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
and Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. It is of conservation concern as it is found in less than 50 sites, typically only in sandy soils near granite
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
flatrocks, and it is most likely already extirpated in North Carolina. Its habitat is threatened by development and the recreational use of the area where it grows. It is very similar to both E. surculosa
Eurybia surculosa
Eurybia surculosa, commonly known as the Creeping Aster, is an herbaceous perennial in the composite family that was previously treated in the genus Aster. It is native to the eastern United States where it is found primarily in sandy soils along the coastal plain, though when E. compacta is also...
and E. paludosa
Eurybia paludosa
Eurybia paludosa, commonly known as the southern swamp aster, is an herbaceous perennial in the aster family. It is native to the southeastern United States where it is confined to the Carolinas and the states of Georgia and Florida. It is generally confined to moist soils, though it can...
and more research needs to be done to determine the exact relationship between the three species. The flowers emerge in the late summer to early fall to show bluish white to deep violet ray florets and yellow disc florets.
Distribution and habitat
E. avita is present only in the U.S. states of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, though it is probably extirpated from the latter state. In South Carolina it is only known from one site in Pickens County, while in Georgia it can be found in 40 to 45 locations. In North Carolina there are currently no known populations. The type location was Stone MountainStone Mountain
Stone Mountain is a quartz monzonite dome monadnock in Stone Mountain, Georgia, United States. At its summit, the elevation is 1,686 feet amsl and 825 feet above the surrounding area. Stone Mountain granite extends underground at its longest point into Gwinnett County...
, but that population no longer exists. It is typically found between 100 and 500 metre elevations growing in shallow and sandy soils around the edges of granite
Granite
Granite is a common and widely occurring type of intrusive, felsic, igneous rock. Granite usually has a medium- to coarse-grained texture. Occasionally some individual crystals are larger than the groundmass, in which case the texture is known as porphyritic. A granitic rock with a porphyritic...
flatrock outcropings.