Chrysopsis mariana, known as the Maryland golden-aster, is a North American species of plants in the family Asteraceae. The Maryland golden-aster ranges from Rhode Island and New York, west to Kentucky and southern Ohio, and south as far as Florida and Texas.Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
Description Compared to other asters, the Maryland golden-aster has broader leaves and larger flowers. Because of its silky stems, the Maryland golden-asters are also known as silkgrass. Like its relatives the prairie golden-aster and the grass-leaved golden-aster, the Maryland golden-aster blooms only from August to October. The Maryland golden-aster grows one to two feet tall.Flora of North America, Maryland goldenaster, Chrysopsis mariana (Linnaeus) Elliott It grows in a variety of habitats including fields, natural rock outcrops, and open areas.
Distribution and habitat C. mariana is native to the eastern and southeastern United States, found in Ohio and New York south to Florida and west to Texas.USDA, NRCS. (2016). The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 5 April 2019). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
It is found in humid and mild climates with ample rainfall, tolerating temperatures ranging from 3 to 33 degrees Celsius.Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: June 2014. Collectors: Loran C. Anderson, Wilson Baker, Bill Boothe, Kathleen Craddock Burks, R.K. Godfrey, Ann F. Johnson, R. Komarek, R L Lazor, John Morrill, R. A. Norris, Ginny Vail, and Jean W. Wooten. States and Counties: Florida: Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla. Georgia: Thomas.
The species is listed as threatened by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and as endangered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Ecology
Chrysopsis mariana is insect pollinated and is recorded to have been visited in northern Florida by Agapostemon splendens, Andrena fulvipennis, and Augochlorella aurata, Augochloropsis metallica, Augochloropsis sumptuosa, Ceratina , Halictus poeyi/ligatus, Lasioglossum pectorale, Paranthidium jugatorium, and Perdita bishoppi. Ulyshen, M. D., K. Robertson, S. Horn, and C. Dixon. 2024. Characterization of the bee community and pollination network in a southeastern U.S. pine savanna. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 12:1403602.
References
External links Wildflowers of the Southeastern United States, Maryland golden-aster North Creek Nurseries, Gardening information on the Maryland golden-aster