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Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G.L.Nesom (Asteraceae):
a new distribution record of an alien plant species in Kashmir
Himalaya, India
Ruquia Gulzar1, Anzar A. Khuroo1*, Zubair A. Rather1, Rameez Ahmad1, Irfan Rashid2
1 Centre for Biodiversity and Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
• RG: mirruquia1@gmail.com https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7970-3512 • AAK: anzarak@gmail.com https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0251-
2793 • ZAR: zubairrather4@gmail.com https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6924-2321 • RA: rameezkhuroo929@gmail.com https://orcid.org/
0000-0002-4229-986X
2 Department of Geoinformatics, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India • IR: irfangis@gmail.com https://orcid.org/0000-
0002-5214-1919
* Corresponding author
Abstract
Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G.L.Nesom (Asteraceae) is reported as a new alien plant record for Kashmir
Himalaya. The taxonomic identication of species is conrmed on the basis of shape of involucre, oral and seed
characters. Detailed description, distribution map, and comments on distribution and ecology are also provided along
with photographic illustration to facilitate easy identication of this species.
Keywords
Alien species, biodiversity, diagnostic characters, Himalaya, taxonomy
Academic editor: Arjun Prasad Tiwari | Received 28 November 2020 | Accepted 15 March 2021 Published 30 March 2021
Citation: Gulzar R, Khuroo AA, Rather ZA, Ahmad R, Rashid I (2021) Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G.L.Nesom (Asteraceae): a new
distribution record of an alien plant species in Kashmir Himalaya, India. Check List 17 (2): 569–574. https://doi.org/10.15560/17.2.569
Introduction
Asteraceae, one of the largest families of angiosperms, is
currently represented by 32,872 species globally (CWG
2020). The members of this family are easily recognized
by their characteristic capitulum (head) inorescence,
which usually comprises of ray and disc orets. The
Asteraceae exhibit great variability in characters such as
the number and association of stamens, shape and type
of anther, stigma, and pappus, and form, size, and mor-
phology of achenes (Funk et al. 2009). In Asteraceae, the
genus Symphyotrichum Nees comprises approximately
100 species, which are mainly distributed across the
New World (Tunckol et al. 2017). Symphyotrichum taxa
are mostly annual or perennial herbs, with stem erect or
ascending, leaves of two types (basal and cauline), invo-
lucre cylindrical, hemispheric, or campanulate, phylla-
ries in 2–5 series, ray orets in 1–5 series, disc orets
bisexual and funnel-shaped, and achenes lanceoloid to
obovoid.
Only one species of Symphyotrichum, S. subulatum
(Michx.) G.L.Nesom, has been reported in India, from
the tropical to subtropical areas of the Gangetic Plains
biogeographical zone (Sharma et al. 2012), and from
Check List 17 (2): 569–574
https://doi.org/10.15560/17.2.569
2
17
© The authors. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
NOTES ON GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
570 Check List 17 (2)
Uttar Pradesh by its synonym, S. squamatum (Spre n g.)
G.L.Nesom (Tripathi and Sharma 2019; Fig. 1). From
Kashmir Himalaya, a temperate mountainous region
located at the northwestern edge of the Himalayas bio-
geographical zone, another species, Symphyotrichum
pilosum (Willd.) G.L.Nesom, has been recorded, but its
occurrence there is doubtful, as there has been no sub-
sequent authentic record in that region and no voucher
specimen is available (Kaul 1975). During recent botan-
ical surveys, we collected specimens of a naturally
occurring Symphyotrichum species which we found in
abundant populations from various localities in Kashmir
Himalaya. On detailed study of the diagnostic features of
collected fresh plant material, and a review of the taxo-
nomic literature (Nesom 2005; Sharma et al. 2012), we
identied the species as Symphyotrichum subulatum,
which is a newly recorded alien plant species in Kashmir
Himalaya (Fig. 1). The species is actually native of New
World with distribution range from eastern Canada to
Mexico and the Caribbean (POWO 2019).
We document the new records of S. subulatum in
Kashmir Himalaya and provide a detailed taxonomic
description based on the voucher specimens collected
from this Himalayan region. Microphotographs of diag-
nostic characters of S. subulatum are included, which
will facilitate its identication in the eld.
Methods
Our study was conducted in Kashmir Himalaya, which
has an area of approximately 15,000 km2 with 64%
of it mountainous (Fig. 1). The climate is primarily
continental and temperate, with cold, wet winters and
relatively dry, hot summers (Rashid et al. 2019, 2020).
The region’s temperature ranges from an average daily
maximum of 31 °C and minimum of 15 °C during sum-
mer to an average daily maximum of 4 °C and minimum
of −4 °C during winter. The average annual precipitation
is 1055 mm, mostly in the form of snow. The region’s
natural vegetation mostly consists of alpine meadows
and coniferous forests (Dar and Khuroo 2013).
During oristic surveys, standard taxonomic meth-
ods have been followed for the collection, drying, and
processing of herbarium specimens (Bridson and For-
man 1998). The specimens have been deposited in Uni-
versity of Kashmir Herbarium (KASH). To identify
the species, we consulted relevant taxonomic literature
(Nesom 2005; Sharma et.al 2012), online oras (Flora of
China 2008; POWO 2019; eFlora of India 2020; Jepson
Flora 2020). The eld photographs were taken using a
Xiaomi Redmi Note7 mobile phone camera. The micro-
photography of the diagnostic characters was carried out
under a Leica S9D stereozoom microscope integrated
with LAS X image processing software.
Results
Symphyotrichum subulatum (Michx.) G.L.Nesom
Annual Saltmarsh Aster
Figures 2, 3
Global distribution. Native to North America and
South America; introduced into Europe, Africa, Austral-
asia, Asia temperate and Pacic (GRIN 2020)
Figure 1. Distribution map of Symphyotrichum subulatum in Kashmir Himalaya. A. Previous records in mainland India. Star = Patiala (Pun-
jab) and pentagon = Noida (Uttar Pradesh). Cyan rectangle represents Kashmir Himalaya. B. New occurrence records across the Kashmir
Himalaya (triangles 1–10).
Gulzar et al. | Symphyotrichum subulatum in Kashmir Himalaya 571
Materials examined. INDIA • Jammu and Kashmir,
Sopore Baramulla; 34°17′21″N, 074°26′46″E; 1594 m
a.s.l.; 21 Sep. 2020; R. Gulzar, A.A. Khuroo leg.; KASH
45035 • Hazratbal Srinagar; 34°08′28″N, 074°50′20″E;
1600 m a.s.l.; 10 Sep. 2020; R. Gulzar, A.A. Khuroo leg.;
KASH 45036 • Tengpora Srinagar; 34°04′11″N, 074°
46′46″E; 1610 m a.s.l.; 6 Oct. 2020; R. Gulzar, Z.A.
Rather leg.; KASH 45037 • Narbal Budgam; 34°07′02″N,
074°39′51″E; 1591 m a.s.l.; 7 Oct. 2020; R. Gulzar, Z.A.
Rather leg.; KASH 45041• HMT Srinagar; 34°06′16″N,
074°44′14″E; 1574 m a.s.l. ;7 Oct. 2020; R. Gulzar,
A.A.Khuroo leg.; KASH 45040 • Kakapora Pulwama;
33°56′53″N, 074°55′17″E; 1593 m a.s.l.; 14 Oct. 2020; R.
Gulzar, A.A. Khuroo leg.; KASH 45043 • Awantipora
Pulwama; 33°55′19″ N, 075°01′18″E; 1591 m a.s.l.; 14
Oct. 2020; R. Gulzar, A.A. Khuroo leg.; KASH 45042
• Kachkoot Pulwama; 33°48′01″N, 074°57′55″E; 1594 m
a.s.l.; 14 Oct. 2020; R. Gulzar, A.A. Khuroo leg.; KASH
45039 • Nasrullahpora Budgam; 34°02′51″N, 074°41′
58″E; 1626 m a.s.l.; 18 Sep. 2020; R. Gulzar, A.A. Khu-
roo leg.; KASH 45034 • Wachi Shopian; 33°48′01″N,
075°01′35″E; 1598 m a.s.l.; 30 Sep. 2020; R. Gulzar, A.A.
Khuroo leg.; KASH 45038.
Identi cation. Annual herb, 16–200 cm tall. Stem erect,
Figure 2. Symphyotrichum subulatum. A. Habit. B. Leaves. C. Axillary branch. D. Inorescence head with ray and disc orets. E. Two- to
three-seriate ray orets. F. Cylindrical lateral view of head with four-seriate phyllaries, purplish tipped. G. Phyllaries from basal (left) to
upper (right) series.
572 Check List 17 (2)
branched, glabrous, green, becomes purplish on matu-
rity. Leaves of two types: basal leaves petiolate, lanceo-
late to ovate, wither at anthesis; cauline leaves sessile,
linear to lanceolate, 2–14 × 0.1–1.0 cm, becoming smaller
in size upwards, adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces gla-
brous, base attenuate, margin serr ulate to entire, apex
acute. Inorescence capitula in paniculiform synores-
cences. Involucre cylindrical, phyllaries 3- or 4 seriate,
lanceolate, clearly unequal, 2–6 × 0.2–0.5 mm, margin
entire, tip acute and prominently purplish. Ray orets
2- or 3 seriate, 34–36 in number, 6–7 mm long, lamina
bluish or pinkish white, coiling backwards; stigma bi-
d; bristles whitish, 3–4 mm long. Disc orets 12–14
in number, yellow, 5–6 mm long; lobes erect and trian-
gular; stigma feathery and spoon-shaped. Fruit cypsela
(achene), lanceoloid, 2.5 × 0.6mm, 6-veined, strigillose.
Pappus bristly, white, 3–4 mm long. (Figs. 2A–G, 3A–I).
Phenology. Flowering and fruiting from August to
Nove mber.
Habitat. Growing along paddy elds and roadsides and
at riparian sites.
Figure 3. Flower and fruit characters of Symphyotrichum subulatum. A. Ray oret with bid stigma. B. Curling of petal in ray oret. C. disc
oret. D. Feathery, bid, and spoon-shaped stigma in disc oret. E. Inorescence head with cypsela fruits. F. Cypsela with pappus. G.
Dorsal view of cypsela with ridges and furrows. H. Attachment of cypsela with receptacle. I. Lateral view of cypsela.
Gulzar et al. | Symphyotrichum subulatum in Kashmir Himalaya 573
Associated species. Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Trifo -
lium pratense L., Poa annua L., Echinochloa crus-galli
L., Erigeron canadensis L., Setaria viridis (L.) P.Beauv.,
Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre, Plantago major L.,
Cichorium intybus L., Bromus catharticus Vahl, Cirsium
arvense (L .) Scop., and Taraxacum ocinale Anon.
Invasion status. Based on our eld studies, S. subulta-
tum may be potentially invasive (sensu Pysek et al. 2004)
in Kashmir Himalaya. This species is capable of produc-
ing a large number of viable seeds ranging from 500 to
50,000 per individual (Fig. 3) and has spread from So-
pore in the north to Shopian in the south of Kashmir Hi-
malaya, which cover more than 100 km (Fig. 1).
Discussion
Of the various shortfalls in biodiversity knowledge, the
Wallacean shortfall refers to lack of distributional data
(Hortal et al. 2015). To ll the Wallacean shortfall, new
distribution data for plants and animals from around the
world (Rasheed et al. 2015; Arshid et al 2016; Rather et
al. 2019) and in particular the data-decient biodiversity
hotspots in the developing world, such as the Himalaya,
are an urgent research priority. Also, biological invasions
by alien species have emerged in recent times as one of
the main drivers of global biodiversity loss (Khuroo et
al. 2011; Thapa et al. 2018). Thus, identifying and record-
ing the alien species which have the potential to become
invasive is crucial in developing well-informed inva-
sion management strategies (Khuroo et al. 2012). Kash-
mir Himalaya is situated on the north-western side of
the Himalaya, a globally signicant biodiversity hotspot
(Zachos et al. 2011). The region is well known for its rich
biodiversity with a large proportion of endemic species
(Dar and Khuroo 2020). The region possesses an esti-
mated 3000 plant species (Dar and Khuroo 2013). In fact,
new additions to the ora of Kashmir Himalaya are con-
tinuously reported (Ganie et al. 2014; Rasheed et al. 2015;
Muzafar et al. 2016; Hassan et al. 2020).
With reportedly rapid climate change in the Hima-
laya, it is important to document distributional and altitu-
dinal changes in the distribution of species (Hamid et al.
2018; 2020). In various parts of Kashmir Himalaya, alien
species which have been established for many years are
common in orchards, parks, crop elds, and gardens, as
well as along roadsides. In Kashmir Himalaya, as many
as 54 alien species of Asteraceae have been reported, and
some of these have become naturalized and displace the
native vegetation (Khuroo et al. 2007). Some of these
alien species have become invasive and have negative
eects on the growth and propagation of native biodi-
versity (Ahmad et al. 2019a; 2019b). In this context, we
record for the rst time S. subulatum as an alien plant in
the Kashmir Himalaya, India. Our data on this species in
the Himalayan region may help in predicting the future
spread of this potentially invasive species and initiating
actions for its management and control.
Acknowledgements
We thank research students: Maroof, Tabasum, Aadil,
Bilal, Firdoos, and Tajamul at the Centre for Biodiver-
sity and Taxonomy, Department of Botany, University
of Kashmir, for their kind help. Ruquia Gulzar acknowl-
edges nancial support received as a Junior Research
Fellow from the Council of Scientic and Industrial
Research (India) during this study. Two anonymous re-
viewers and the academic editor, Arjun Prasad Tiwari,
are acknowledged for their useful comments, and Rob-
ert Forsyth for language editing, which improved the
manuscript.
Author Contributions
AAK conceived the study; RG, AAK, ZAR, and R A
collected the eld data; AAK and RG identied the
specimens; RG and ZAR carried out photography; IR
prepared the distribution map; RG wrote the rst draft
of the manuscript with input from AAK and IR; all the
authors reviewed the draft manuscript and agreed to its
submission.
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