Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Aster tanacetifolius
Other common names
tansyleaf spine aster
Tahoka daisy
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Biennial or annual
Height
16 inches
Riparian
Yes
Highly branched with fern-like leaves; stems end in flower heads of many bright purple, very narrow ray flowers surrounding yellow disc flowers.
Annual, occasionally biennial; stems highly branched when mature; leaves alternate, abundant and overlapping along stems; flower heads showy at tips of leafy branches, ray flowers purple, disc flowers yellow; phyllary tips green, long and pointed.
Habitat
Desert scrub, grasslands, pinyon-juniper woodlands, pondersoa pine forests, streambeds, roadsides, disturbed areas.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
Purple ray flowers with yellow disc flowers; flower head to 2 inches wide.
Flower color
Purple with yellow centers
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Sticky-hairy, much-divided, fernlike leaves tipped with tiny spines; to 3 inches long.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Grayish-green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
Yes
Leaf hairs
Leaves & stems
Spines
Yes
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit type
Achene
Bristly.