Scientific Family
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Virgulus falcatus, Aster falcatus
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
To 3 feet
Riparian
Yes
Bushy, branched plant with stems lying flat or ascending. Numerous white daisy-like flowers form clusters at the ends of branches. It reproduces by underground creeping roots.
Rhizomatous perennial; hairy ascending to erect stems; leaves spine-tipped, grayish-green, smooth margined, narrowed at base, oblong, reduced upper stem; sprays of flowers in dense, compact clusters; ray flowers white, disc flowers yellow.
Habitat
Dry, open sandy or gravelly sites, stream banks and rocky, eroded hillsides, prairies and montane habitats.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
The white, daisy-like flower heads are 1/3 to 2/3 inch wide. Flowers are clustered at the ends of branches with over 20 flowers per flower stalk.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Daisy or dandelion-like
Tubular
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
The short, narrow, green leaves are hairy, fleshy and firm.
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
Egg-shaped, containing one seed.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Dark brown