Aster flaccidus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Erigeron flaccidus
• Tibetiodes flaccida

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Aster flaccidus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and falls under the genus Aster.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily located within the vast territories of Siberia. Its presence is specifically noted across several key regions, including the Altai area. Furthermore, it can be found growing in the Buryatiya and Chita regions. The distribution also extends into the Irkutsk area of the Siberian landscape. Finally, this medicinal species is documented as inhabiting the Tuva region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aster flaccidus is characterized by its specialized adaptation to high-altitude alpine environments, where it thrives across a distinct vertical gradient. This species is predominantly found in montane and alpine zones, specifically occupying diverse niches such as mountain meadows, stony places, and tundra ecosystems. Its distribution is strictly tied to high elevations, ranging from a minimum of 2,600 m AMSL to a maximum altitude of 5,100 m AMSL, with a mean elevational presence at approximately 3,725 m AMSL. These habitats suggest a high tolerance for the intense solar radiation, fluctuating temperatures, and rocky, well-drained substrates typical of high-mountain landscapes.

Elevational range max:

5100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3725 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2600 m AMSL

Habitat :

meadows, mountains, stony places, tundra

Life history

The life history of Aster flaccidus is characterized by its classification as a perennial, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial herb, it undergoes recurring cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive development, allowing it to establish a stable presence within its natural habitat. Throughout its lifespan, the plant focuses on building robust root systems and energy reserves during favorable periods to ensure survival through dormant phases. This longevity allows the species to adapt to environmental fluctuations and participate in successive flowering events over several years, contributing to its long-term population stability.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aster flaccidus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. The plant exhibits a self-supporting structure and functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic behavior, as it remains terrestrial in its habit. It can thrive across a range of moisture conditions, including aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively diminutive, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.08 meters to a maximum of 0.37 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.37 m

Plant height min:

0.08 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Aster flaccidus is characterized by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions, which influences its photosynthetic capacity and surface area for transpiration. The leaf length exhibits a broad range, with minimum measurements starting at 3 cm and a mean length of approximately 6 cm, reaching a maximum extension of 9 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width shows a highly diverse distribution; while the width can be as narrow as 0.3 cm, it expands significantly to a maximum width of 7 cm. This wide spectrum of leaf size and shape suggests a physiological plasticity that allows the plant to optimize light interception and moisture regulation across varying environmental conditions.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

6 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width min:

0.3 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Aster flaccidus is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers, facilitating efficient pollination. The flowering period typically commences in June and continues through August. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces small fruits with a mean length of 0.3 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.25 cm to a maximum of 0.35 cm. These fruits contain seeds with a mean mass of 0.0381 g. Regarding the dispersal of its offspring, the species utilizes an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are primarily dispersed by the wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.35 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.3 cm

Fruit length min:

0.25 cm

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass mean:

0.0381 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aster flaccidus has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATALASE, Flavonoids, Peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, Tannins.

CATALASE

1. Scientific reports

Flavonoids

1. Scientific reports

Peroxidase

1. Scientific reports

Superoxide dismutase

1. Scientific reports

Tannins

1. Scientific reports

Trypsin inhibitor

1. Scientific reports

Preparations

Aster flaccidus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include traditional Chinese herb medicine.

Traditional chinese herb medicine

1. Journal of Asian natural products research