Purple-stemmed Aster

Symphyotrichum puniceum

Pollinator Value

🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena asteris, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena canadensis, Andrena placata, Andrena simplex, Colletes simulans, Colletes compactus, Colletes americanus, Pseudopanurgus aestivalis, Pseudopanurgus andrenoides, Melissodes druriellus
S17 Fowler Symphyotrichum specialists with Eastern NA ranges; S10 confirms A. asteris and A. hirticincta as oligolectic visitors

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) and nationally secure in Canada (N5). Not ranked at subnational level in either Ontario or Quebec (SNR). Not listed under SARA. Common in the Ottawa area. Widespread across eastern North America from the Gulf coast to northern Quebec.
S22+S26+S62+S6
Rarity Ranks: QC SNR – Not Ranked, ON SNR – Not Ranked
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: A tall, robust perennial of swamps, fens, wet meadows, and stream margins across the boreal-temperate transition. Typically found in higher quality wetlands where native flora remains intact. Occupies soggy thickets, calcareous seeps, sedge meadows, and shorelines [S10+S61]. In the Ottawa-Gatineau region, abundant in riparian corridors and wet depressions on both clay and organic soils [S48+S54]. A keystone pollinator resource in late-season wetland communities, providing critical nectar and pollen to specialist bees when few other species are in bloom [S17+S10].
S10+S61+S48+S54+S17

Roles: Fortress/Barrier, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: spines? (supporting signal only)] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [MEDIUM]: S68 24 bee associations (threshold=3)]

Category: Febrifuge, Diaphoretic, Abortifacient, Cold Remedy, Pulmonary Aid, Toothache Remedy, Gynecological Aid, Pediatric Aid, Orthopedic Aid, Tuberculosis Remedy
S28 Moerman NAEB categories
Notes: Extensively used by Indigenous peoples for root-based medicines. The Cree (Woodlands) used root decoctions as a febrifuge, diaphoretic, gynecological aid, pediatric aid, orthopedic aid, abortifacient, and toothache remedy. The Iroquois used root infusions for colds, fevers, typhoid, pneumonia, and consumption. The Chippewa smoked root tendrils with tobacco as a hunting charm. Go Botany notes traditional use of roots for fever, colds, typhoid, pneumonia, and toothache.
S28+S61

❌ Not Edible

Foraging Notes: No food uses documented in the ethnobotanical record. All 14 Moerman NAEB records are medicinal or drug uses; no edible applications have been reported.
S28