Sky Blue Aster

Symphyotrichum oolentangiense

Pollinator Value

🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena asteris, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Colletes simulans, Melissodes dentiventris, Melissodes druriellus
S17 genus-level Symphyotrichum specialists; S68 confirmed visitors to S. oolentangiense

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: Globally secure (G5) with a national rank of N4 in Canada. In Ontario ranked S4 (Apparently Secure). Not listed under SARA or COSEWIC. Range in Canada is restricted to Ontario, primarily in the Mixed Wood Plains and southern Mixed Wood Shield ecoregions.
S22 G5, N4, S4 ON; S26 not SARA listed; S1 native ON only
Rarity Ranks: QC SNA – Not Applicable, ON S4 – Apparently Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: Inhabits dry, open habitats including prairies, alvars, glades, oak and pine savannas, barrens, and open woodland edges on sandy, loamy, or rocky soils. In Ontario, known primarily from alvar and limestone habitats in the Belleville-Quinte West area and rock barrens in the Frontenac region.
S6 dry prairies, alvars, glades, open deciduous woods, savannas; S48 ON specimens from alvar and limestone habitats; S7 savannas, dry sandy ground

Roles: Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]

❌ Not Edible