Alpine Leafybract Aster: Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum (Synonyms: Aster apricus, Aster foliaceus var. apricus, Aster subspicatus var. apricus)

The photo above is a close-up of the involucral bracts of alpine leafybract aster from the Wildhorse Lake Trail, Steens Mt...........July 28, 2004. One can just make out the purplish tips to the involucral bracts, with a faint purple margins to the bracts too.

Alpine leafybract aster is a perennial wildflower with one to several upright, ascending or decumbent stems up to 120 cm long. The leaves have entire margins with the lower leaves oblanceolate to obovate in shape with petioles while the upper leaves are sessile and lanceolate to ovate in shape. The bases of all the leaves noticeably clasp the stems. The upper leaves vary from 5-12 cm long and 1-4 cm wide. The lower leaves are often deciduous by flowering time.

The inflorescence of one to several flower heads is a corymb with the involucral bracts ranging from large and leaf-like to small and arranged like shingles. The violet, blue, or rose-purple rays number 15 to 60, each measuring 1-2 cm long. The central disk flowers are yellowish.

The numerous, thin ray flowers; the large, leaf-like bracts supporting the flower heads; and the clasping leaf bases are keys to identifying this species of aster.

Leafy aster is a wildflower of moist open places and open woods from moderate elevation to near timberline in the mountains. Variety parryi may be found along streams and in other wet places in the mountains.

Aster foliaceus is found from northern British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to California, and eastward to the Rocky Mts. where it may be found between Montana and New Mexico.

Variety parryi may be found from the Cascades of northern Washington south to central California and east to Alberta, Wyoming, and New Mexico.

Variety apricus may be found from southern British Columbia south to northern California and east through mountainous areas to Colorado and Montana.

A midstem leaf and flower head of alpine leafybract aster from the trail to Wildhorse Lake, Steens Mt...........July 28, 2004. Although slightly out of focus, the purple margins to the bracts are visible.

A basal leaf of alpine leafybract aster photographed along the Wildhorse Lake trail, Steens Mt...........July 28, 2004.

Alpine leafybract aster as seen at the junction of the Pine Creek Trail #201, Roads End Trail #201A and Onion Creek Trail #368, Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.............August 18, 2011.