It is native to North America, where it is primarily found in interior areas east of the Mississippi River.

Unlike many related Symphyotrichum species, its stem leaves are essentially entire and do not have a winged petiole.

It bears a resemblance to the related Symphyotrichum oolentangiense of further west, from which S. shortii can be distinguished by its cordate stem leaves and pubescent phyllaries.

[7] The species was first formally described and named Aster shortii by English botanist John Lindley in 1834.

[7] Symphyotrichum shortii is native to North America, where it is primarily found in interior areas east of the Mississippi River.