[Asters: The Genera Canadanthus, Eucephalus, Eurybia, Oreostemma and Symphyotrichum Found East of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]
Western Meadow Aster
Symphyotrichum campestre
Synonyms: Aster campestris, Aster campestris var. bloomeri, Aster campestris var. campestris, Symphyotrichum campestre var. bloomeri, Symphyotrichum campestre var. campestre
The photo above shows a close-up of the flower head of western
meadow aster as found in dry coniferous forest along Road K1000 to the east
of the Mount Adams Highway...........September 8, 2007.
Characteristics:
Western meadow aster is an erect to leaning perennial from 10-50 cm high.
The herbage may be somewhat hairy, but is typically glandular, especially on
the upper part of the plant and on the involucre. The leaves are linear or narrowly
oblong in shape and firm in texture. They range from 2-8 cm long and 2-8 mm
wide. The margins are entire and the bases are sessile or slightly clasping
on the stems. The lower leaves may wither by flowering time.
The several to many flower heads are small with the disk ranging from 5-14
mm wide. The 15-20 rays are light violet to purplish in color and range from
6-12 mm long The involucre is 5-8 mm high and is noticeably glandular with the
individual bracts having long, acute or acuminate tips which are green.
Varieties of Western Meadow Aster:
var. bloomeri -
var. campestre -
Habitat:
Western meadow aster may be found in open, dry places from the plains and
valleys to moderate elevations in the mountains.
Range:
Aster campestris is found from southern British Columbia south through
Washington and Oregon (east of the Cascade crest) to California, and eastward
to western Montana and Utah.
The photo above shows the seed head
of western mountain aster as found along Road K1000 on the southeastern slopes
of Mt. Adams.......June 17, 2006.
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Close-up photos of the leafy stem and flower head of western meadow aster as found in dry coniferous forest along Road K1000 to the east of the Mount Adams Highway.........September 8, 2007. Note the numerous hairs covering the leaves and the stem as well as the numerous glands on the involucral bracts.
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The photo above shows several views of western meadow aster as found in dry coniferous forest along Road K1000 to the east of the Mount Adams Highway..........September 8, 2007.
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Images of western meadow aster as found in dry coniferous forest along the entrance road to Ochoco Campground, Ochoco National Forest..........August 9, 2014.
Paul Slichter