Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Dieteria canescens, Aster canescens
Other common names
hoar false tansy-aster
hoary machaeranthera
purple aster
hoary goldenweed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Biennial or perennial
Similar species
Dieteria bigelovii
Height
2 to 3 feet
Riparian
No
Tall, branched stems bearing narrow, well-separated leaves; stems and leaves hairless or sparse covering of short hairs; each bloom has 10 to 25 ray flowers per flower head and a yellow center composed of many small disc flowers.
Annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial; stems branched; herbage hairless to covered with grayish white hairs; alternate leaves; blades lance-like, linear or pointed end at base; margins smooth to notched; purple or blue ray petals; yellow discs.
Habitat
Found in open, often sandy sites, on flats and slopes.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
1 or more flower heads lined with several layers of pointed, curling or curving, overlapping bracts; many yellow disc flowers; fringe of purple or blue ray flowers each 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.
Flower color
Purple, blue, yellow
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
November
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems 3 to 24 inches tall; leaves alternate, stalk-less; simple; 3/4 to 2-1/2 inches long, 1/16 to 1/4 inch wide; margins smooth to fine-toothed notches tipped with spines.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
Yes
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fine, flat hairs or hairless; 1/8 inch long; topped with bristles.
Fruit type
Achene