{"assessment":{"band":"Keystone","factor_identity":{"basis":"source accepted identity; genus-level evidence","growth_habit_source":"USDA PLANTS","name_used":"Symphyotrichum ericoides"},"factor_scopes":{"bees":"Southeastern North America","birds":"North America","caterpillars":"Host genera of native Lepidoptera with established Alabama range; association and range overlap, not confirmed local feeding.","specialists":"Eastern North America","structure":"USDA species growth habit where matched; otherwise sourced atlas growth habit"},"factors":{"applied_insect_credit":0,"baseline_score":90,"composite":0.908,"insect_support":{"credit":0,"groups":{"ants":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Ants","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"beetles":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Beetles","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"flies":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Flies","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"moths_butterflies":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Adult butterflies / moths","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"other_hymenoptera":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Other wasps","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"},"other_insects":{"credit":0,"flower_visits":[],"label":"Other insects","recorded_name_count":null,"recorded_names":[],"seed_interactions":[],"status":"unknown"}},"interpretation":"One provisional point per additional documented insect group, capped at five. 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Speaks for its own area (NC), not this state: Vascular Plants of North Carolina (NC Natural Heritage Program).","native_provenance":{"flags":["over_higher_tier"],"source":"al_atlas","specificity":"state","tier":"published_flora"},"native_status":"native_supported","package_native_status":"native_supported","source_ids":["al_atlas:AL:538"],"source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","source_refs":["al_atlas","gbif_specimens","natureserve_explorer"],"source_url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/538","state_rank":"SNR"},"source_refs":["al_atlas","gbif_specimens","natureserve_explorer"],"source_url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/538","state_rank":{"value":"SNR"}},"fit_inputs":{"light":[4,4],"moisture":[1,1],"ph":[8,9]},"fit_provenance":{"light":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","moisture":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","ph":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox pH categories (Bound printed by the source; open end from USDA NRCS soil reaction classes)"},"fit_record":{"band":"Keystone","condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:34e25e32abc749f6ae4ef3f9a88f4a1e0ea5e3e0140f6ae97c6db85ddcdf02b6","levels":[4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[4,4],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_light_categories_preserved_without_hour_conversion","source_field":"light","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:b785ef1d206e2d180aca2a52423ef31284ba17cb8435ade6e762902939eea595","levels":[1],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-2","range":[1,1],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_drainage_or_moisture_categories_preserved","source_field":"moisture_categories","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"ph":{"basis":["Bound printed by the source; open end from USDA NRCS soil reaction classes"],"categories":["Alkaline (>8.0)"],"evidence_id":"fact:8f7a5834716c54bba63cdcebdea348dd7199605ff53801822844c3836ce35c90","policy":"soil-ph-categories-1","range":[8,9],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_characteristic","source_field":"soil_ph_categories","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"county_fips":["01003","01043","01047","01051","01063","01065","01071","01077","01081","01091","01125","13295","21035","21039","47065","47115","47139"],"fit_inputs":{"light":[4,4],"moisture":[1,1],"ph":[8,9]},"fit_note":"Shared sunlight, moisture and pH calculation; county geography is an additional layer. Missing source traits remain unknown.","fit_provenance":{"light":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","moisture":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","ph":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox pH categories (Bound printed by the source; open end from USDA NRCS soil reaction classes)"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed","suggestions_excluded":false},"invasive_rank":false,"native_eligible":true,"quercus_score":90,"state":"AL"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed","suggestions_excluded":false},"growing_observations":{"minnesota_wildflowers":{"matched_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","retrieved":"2026-10-04T02:40:57.906117+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Source-reported species characteristics; not a location-specific estimate.","source_label":"Minnesota Wildflowers","source_sha256":"c8f506399d5964734f695e89ac04fd721486d8d761bf5a62edfad97f96951b5f","source_url":"https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/heath-aster","trait_evidence":[{"expected_source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","field":"life_cycle","original_field":"life_cycle","record_id":"trait:1cd655c7ea035ed9aa3af6f22a5a35c247b0842f7d0cf1adb63e5f1ff583c193","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:40:57.906117+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"minnesota","source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","source_sha256":"c8f506399d5964734f695e89ac04fd721486d8d761bf5a62edfad97f96951b5f","source_url":"https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/heath-aster","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:3e3b4f98-a3bb-5078-8089-17181406411b","value":["perennial"]},{"expected_source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","field":"height_description","original_field":"height","record_id":"trait:bf2329c045aa5f227ba33de906d734f13393da149852bcf3697e8583841deb74","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:40:57.906117+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"minnesota","source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","source_sha256":"c8f506399d5964734f695e89ac04fd721486d8d761bf5a62edfad97f96951b5f","source_url":"https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/heath-aster","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:3e3b4f98-a3bb-5078-8089-17181406411b","value":{"max":3,"min":1,"unit":"feet"}}],"values":{"height_description":"1–3 feet","life_cycle":["perennial"]}},"ncsu_sitemap":{"matched_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","retrieved":"2026-10-04T02:46:08.390906+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Source-reported species characteristics; not a location-specific estimate.","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_sha256":"f51c0c5ae1eab20289df95514131614d0f3bbd699b3c01a6584d464c2633a2ae","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","trait_evidence":[{"expected_source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","field":"hardiness_zones","original_field":"hardiness","record_id":"trait:1f2c371983db7b9b4c64e0209290a7defad6be43dde21ffe4d02f76d23ed1735","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:46:08.390906+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","source_sha256":"f51c0c5ae1eab20289df95514131614d0f3bbd699b3c01a6584d464c2633a2ae","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:3e3b4f98-a3bb-5078-8089-17181406411b","value":["3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b"]},{"expected_source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","field":"light","original_field":"light","record_id":"trait:207ca421ac3570e4f4aa111ebba9dc54d6eb9218f8d46976cb8aaa9db2b68255","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:46:08.390906+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","source_sha256":"f51c0c5ae1eab20289df95514131614d0f3bbd699b3c01a6584d464c2633a2ae","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:3e3b4f98-a3bb-5078-8089-17181406411b","value":["Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)"]},{"expected_source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","field":"height_description","original_field":"height","record_id":"trait:5add88ec3a995993737555319a1682015f94fc0dcaa63981c5ebd65e1e083499","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:46:08.390906+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","source_sha256":"f51c0c5ae1eab20289df95514131614d0f3bbd699b3c01a6584d464c2633a2ae","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:3e3b4f98-a3bb-5078-8089-17181406411b","value":{"max":3,"min":1.5,"unit":"feet"}},{"expected_source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","field":"flower_color","original_field":"flower_color","record_id":"trait:830c8b8a65f295dd59acb6e735f5264d67e1668210ee69b39411923dd04fac73","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:46:08.390906+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","source_sha256":"f51c0c5ae1eab20289df95514131614d0f3bbd699b3c01a6584d464c2633a2ae","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:3e3b4f98-a3bb-5078-8089-17181406411b","value":["Gold/Yellow","Purple/Lavender","Red/Burgundy","White"]},{"expected_source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","field":"leaf_habit","original_field":"leaf_habit","record_id":"trait:92fda8ca6f5572eef5a30f1aa18433e8a1ee2f84309c23160b6851d290e932c3","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:46:08.390906+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","source_sha256":"f51c0c5ae1eab20289df95514131614d0f3bbd699b3c01a6584d464c2633a2ae","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:3e3b4f98-a3bb-5078-8089-17181406411b","value":["Deciduous"]},{"expected_source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","field":"moisture_categories","original_field":"soil_moisture","record_id":"trait:989b9b314b5ac12969427cf8a1784691fdae6784266b12ad6633e33f1aca7f5d","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:46:08.390906+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","source_sha256":"f51c0c5ae1eab20289df95514131614d0f3bbd699b3c01a6584d464c2633a2ae","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:3e3b4f98-a3bb-5078-8089-17181406411b","value":["Occasionally Dry"]},{"expected_source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","field":"soil_ph_categories","original_field":"soil_ph","record_id":"trait:bedeff7ebb70ea706c8345f45b652645af072ec53e3cc5cf33fd46937d8d8a1e","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:46:08.390906+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","source_sha256":"f51c0c5ae1eab20289df95514131614d0f3bbd699b3c01a6584d464c2633a2ae","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:3e3b4f98-a3bb-5078-8089-17181406411b","value":["Alkaline (>8.0)"]},{"expected_source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","field":"life_cycle","original_field":"life_cycle","record_id":"trait:d3ace7e734507e2c8ff972ce9c4e2341be22de4ff7c0d1012286b9b60500918a","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:46:08.390906+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","source_sha256":"f51c0c5ae1eab20289df95514131614d0f3bbd699b3c01a6584d464c2633a2ae","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:3e3b4f98-a3bb-5078-8089-17181406411b","value":["Perennial"]},{"expected_source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","field":"spread_description","original_field":"spread","record_id":"trait:f7ecd1e6813da62101cde4bf20a098f1627b43c3c8f6578c0c22296d66e1c16d","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:46:08.390906+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","source_sha256":"f51c0c5ae1eab20289df95514131614d0f3bbd699b3c01a6584d464c2633a2ae","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-ericoides/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:3e3b4f98-a3bb-5078-8089-17181406411b","value":{"max":1.5,"min":1,"unit":"feet"}}],"values":{"flower_color":["Gold/Yellow","Purple/Lavender","Red/Burgundy","White"],"hardiness_zones":["3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b"],"height_description":"1.5–3 feet","leaf_habit":["Deciduous"],"life_cycle":["Perennial"],"light":["Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)"],"moisture_categories":["Occasionally Dry"],"soil_ph_categories":["Alkaline (>8.0)"],"spread_description":"1–1.5 feet"}}},"light_range":["full sun","full sun"],"light_source":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","native_synthesis":{"claims":[{"claim":"native","flag":"Y","matched_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","scope":"AL","source":"al_atlas","url":"https://dev.alabama.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/538"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"CAN:N L48:N","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"native","matched_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","scope":"NC","source":"nc_flora","url":"https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/"},{"basis":"NatureServe subnational native or exotic flag for this state","claim":"native","matched_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","scope":"AL","source":"natureserve_explorer","srank":"SNR","url":"https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.138091/Symphyotrichum_ericoides"}],"county_native_range":"unresolved","decided_by":"al_atlas","explanation":"Alabama Plant Atlas (published flora, state claim) gives the value, over a broader claim from a higher tier. Speaks for its own area (NC), not this state: Vascular Plants of North Carolina (NC Natural Heritage Program).","label":"Native to Alabama (state-specific source)","provenance":{"flags":["over_higher_tier"],"source":"al_atlas","specificity":"state","tier":"published_flora"},"rule":"fact-hierarchy-2","status":"native_supported"},"source_name":"Symphyotrichum ericoides","taxon_id":"taxon:3e3b4f98-a3bb-5078-8089-17181406411b","revision":"publish:903368a2-17ec-496c-89d2-a217f30d9dda","photos":[{"id":"inat-100074086","src":"/api/photos/image/456dad540150f28e69982cc62678a0a2f1106dfe7db4135020232fdbed93556f.jpeg","view":"bloom","alt":"Symphyotrichum ericoides — bloom photograph","width":500,"height":375,"artist":"(c) sudomir, some rights reserved (CC BY)","license":"CC BY 4.0","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","source_url":"https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/100074086","changes":"iNaturalist medium image; no additional crop, retouching, or re-encoding.","kind":"photo"}]}