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Ruth's Golden Asters Polk County, TN September 2021 |
All Text & Images: Copyright (2021) |
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Ruth's Golden Asters Polk County, TN September 2021 |
All Text & Images: Copyright (2021) |
| Ruth's Golden Aster (Pityopsis ruthii) is endemic to Polk County, TN, where it is found only in two populations along the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers. The species only grows in the cracks & crevices of phyllite or graywacke boulders, and is Federally listed as Endangered. In the past, flooding and scouring action of the river water prevented the growth of other plants that can shade and compete with this species, but water flow on these rivers has been altered by power generation dams. Recreational use of the rivers has also impacted the plants' survival. |
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| Ruth's Golden Aster (Pityopsis ruthii) |
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| Ruth's Golden Aster Single flower bloom, along with a bud and a spent flower... |
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| Bee pollinating a Ruth's Golden Aster flower Note the pollen-filled "saddle bags" (corbicula). |
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| It is amazing that these plants survive in this basically soil-less environment. |
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| Ruth's Golden Aster |
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| Single flower detail |
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| Ruth's Golden Aster |