Pityopsis aspera

Pityopsis aspera
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Pityopsis
Species:
P. aspera
Binomial name
Pityopsis aspera
(A.Gray) Small

Pityopsis aspera, also known as pineland silkgrass or grass-leaved goldenaster, is a member of the Aster family endemic to the southeastern region of the United States.[1][2] There exist multiple varieties, including: P. aspera var. adenolepsis, P. aspera var. aspera, and Heterotheca adenolepsis.[1]

Description

Pityopsis aspera ranges in height between 20 and 50 cm (8 and 20 in), and commonly possesses a singular erect stem. Leaves are linear-oblanceolate and range in length between 5 and 25 cm (2 and 10 in).[3]

When in bloom, from August through October, the flowers produced possess 6 to 10 yellow petals.[2][4]

Distribution and habitat

Within the United States, P. aspera's native range stretches from Virginia to Florida and as far west as Mississippi.[5]

Pityopsis aspera can be found in habitats such as dry woodlands, forests, longleaf pine sandhills, and disturbed environments.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Weakley, Alan S. (October 20, 2020). Flora of the Southeastern United States. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  2. ^ a b "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  3. ^ Semple, John C. (November 6, 2020). "Pityopsis aspera". Flora of North America.
  4. ^ "Pityopsis aspera | pineland silkgrass". wildflowersearch.org. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  5. ^ "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  6. ^ "Pityopsis aspera var. adenolepis - FSUS". fsus.ncbg.unc.edu. Retrieved 2025-09-26.