New England Aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Pollinator Value

🐛 Larval Host: Agnorisma badinodis, Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria
S13+S15 2 verified Eastern NA
🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena asteris, Andrena placata, Andrena simplex, Andrena canadensis, Colletes americanus, Colletes compactus, Colletes simulans, Melissodes druriellus, Perdita octomaculata, Pseudopanurgus andrenoides
S17 Fowler pollen specialists with Eastern NA ranges including Symphyotrichum

Proximity Score: 0
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: Local
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.3 – Algonquin/Southern Laurentians
Rarity Notes: Secure throughout its range in both Ontario (S5) and Quebec (S5), with a global rank of G5. Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Nationally ranked N5 in both Canada and the United States. Common and widespread in the Ottawa-Gatineau region with abundant herbarium specimens and observations.
S22 S26
Rarity Ranks: QC S5 – Secure, ON S5 – Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: A tall, clump-forming perennial of moist open habitats including meadows, stream banks, fens, and roadside ditches across the Ottawa-Gatineau region. Common on both sides of the Ottawa River, found in mesic prairies and disturbed sites as well as shrubby swamps and moist woodland edges. Thrives on rich, sandy or loamy soils with consistent moisture. One of the most conspicuous late-season wildflowers in the region, often growing alongside goldenrods in old fields undergoing succession.
S63 S62 S6 S4 S7

Roles: Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: spines? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]
Notes: Excellent late-season pollinator companion in meadow and rain garden designs. One of the latest fall-blooming native plants, providing critical nectar for pre-hibernation bumble bee queens and migrating monarchs when few other sources remain. Pairs naturally with goldenrods in old-field succession communities. Tolerates clay soils, making it versatile for a range of planting sites. Can be aggressive in optimal conditions; divide roots every several years.
S64 S4 S46

Category: Analgesic, Antidiarrheal, Febrifuge, Respiratory Aid, Dermatological Aid, Stimulant
S28 Cherokee, Iroquois, Meskwaki, Potawatomi traditional medicine
Notes: Extensively used in Indigenous medicine. Cherokee applied root poultice for pain, infusion of root for diarrhea, and infusion for fever; root ooze was sniffed for catarrh. Iroquois used decoction of plants for weak skin and decoction of roots and leaves for fevers. Meskwaki and Potawatomi smudged the plant as a fumigating reviver to stimulate unconscious patients. Chippewa smoked the roots in pipes as a charm to attract game.
S28

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: No documented food uses. Moerman records 11 ethnobotanical uses for this species, all in Drug/Medicine categories but none as food. The plant is not known to be consumed by humans.
S28