Kingdom Plantae Tribe Astereae Scientific name Symphyotrichum ascendens Rank Species | Order Asterales Genus Symphyotrichum Higher classification Symphyotrichum | |
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Similar Symphyotrichum, Daisy family, Symphyotrichum eatonii, Symphyotrichum falcatum, Symphyotrichum chilense | ||
Symphyotrichum ascendens (formerly Aster ascendens) is a species of aster known by the common names western aster and long-leaved aster. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Saskatchewan, the Sierra Nevada in California, to Arizona and New Mexico. It grows in many types of habitat, including disturbed areas.
Description
This is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing a branching, erect stem to heights between 20 and 60 centimeters. Leaves are widely lance-shaped to oblong and pointed, the largest ones near the base of the stem reaching up to 15 centimeters long. The stem and leaves are roughly hairy in places.
The inflorescence is an array of many flower heads with many narrow violet to nearly white ray florets around a center of golden disc florets. The fruit is a hairy achene with a long pappus.
