Pityopsis aspera

Pityopsis aspera
Pityopsis aspera var. adenolepis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Pityopsis
Species:
P. aspera
Binomial name
Pityopsis aspera
(A.Gray) Small

Pityopsis aspera, commonly known as pineland silkgrass or grass-leaved goldenaster, is a member of the Aster family endemic to the southeastern region of the United States. There exist multiple varieties, including: P. aspera var. adenolepsis, P. aspera var. aspera, and Heterotheca adenolepsis.

Description

Pityopsis aspera ranges in height between 20 and 50 cm (8 and 20 in), and commonly possesses a singular erect stem. Leaves are linear-oblanceolate and range in length between 5 and 25 cm (2 and 10 in).

When in bloom, from August through October, the flowers produced possess 6 to 10 yellow petals.

Distribution and habitat

Within the United States, P. aspera's native range stretches from Virginia to Florida and as far west as Mississippi.

Pityopsis aspera can be found in habitats such as dry woodlands, forests, longleaf pine sandhills, and disturbed environments.

Ecology

Pityopsis aspera is insect pollinated and is recorded to have been visited in northern Florida by Agapostemon splendens, Augochlorella aurata, Augochloropsis sumptuosa, Ceratina, Coelioxys mexicanus, Halictus poeyi/ligatus, Heriades variolosa/leavitti, Lasioglossum apopkense, Lasioglossum illinoense, Lasioglossum longifrons, Lasioglossum reticulatum, Lasioglossum weemsi/leviense, Megachile mendica, Megachile petulans, Megachile pseudobrevis, Megachile texana, Melissodes boltoniae, Melissodes dentiventris, Paranthidium jugatorium, Perdita bishoppi, and Pseudopanurgus labrosiformis.

References

  1. 1 2 Weakley, Alan S. (October 20, 2020). Flora of the Southeastern United States. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  2. 1 2 "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  3. ↑ Semple, John C. (November 6, 2020). "Pityopsis aspera". Flora of North America.
  4. ↑ "Pityopsis aspera | pineland silkgrass". wildflowersearch.org. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  5. ↑ "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  6. ↑ "Pityopsis aspera var. adenolepis - FSUS". fsus.ncbg.unc.edu. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
  7. ↑ 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.