Western Silvery Aster

Symphyotrichum sericeum

Pollinator Value

🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena asteris, Andrena hirticincta, Andrena nubecula, Andrena placata, Andrena simplex, Colletes americanus, Colletes compactus, Colletes simulans, Melissodes druriellus
S17 genus-level Symphyotrichum pollen specialists with Eastern NA ranges

Proximity Score: 2
Native Status: ❌ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ❌ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: NW
CEC Eco-Regions: 5 – Northern Forests, 5.2 – Mixed Wood Shield, 5.2.2 – Northern Minnesota Wetlands
Rarity Notes: SARA-listed Threatened (Schedule 1, listed 2003). COSEWIC assessed as Threatened. Nationally ranked N2 (Imperiled) in Canada, globally G5 (Secure). In Ontario, ranked S1 (Critically Imperiled), known only from the Lake of the Woods area in northwestern Ontario. Of conservation concern also in Indiana and Michigan.
S26+S22+S6
Rarity Ranks: QC SNA – Not Applicable, ON S1 – Critically Imperiled
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: A prairie specialist of dry, open habitats on sandy or loamy soils and broken limestone outcrops. In Ontario, restricted to the Lake of the Woods region (NW Ontario) on calcareous substrates and acidic shield rocks. Associates with Andropogon gerardii, Schizachyrium scoparium, Liatris aspera, and other tallgrass prairie species. Nationally ranked N2 (Imperiled) in Canada.
S6+S7+S22+S54

Roles: pollinator attractor
S4 Special Value to Native Bees, Attracts Butterflies; S17 33 specialist bee species on genus

❌ Not Edible