[Asters: The Genera Canadanthus, Eucephalus, Eurybia, Ionactis, Oreostemma and Symphyotrichum Found East of the Cascade Mts. of Oregon and Washington]

Long-leaved Aster, Western Aster

Symphyotrichum ascendens

Synonyms: Aster adscendens, Aster ascendens, Aster chilensis, Aster chilensis ssp. adscendens, Aster chilensis ssp. ascendens, Aster macounii, Aster subgriseus, Virgulaster ascendens

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Long-leaved asters observed in vernally moist meadows at Mud Creek Campground, Fremont-Winema National Forest.......August 3, 2020.

Characteristics:

Long-leaved aster is an open, branched perennial from a rhizome or branching caudex. It ranges in height from 20-100 cm. The stem leaves are very short and linear, close to the stem. The basal leaves are long and narrow. All leaves are are entire margined and smooth surfaced. The leaves range from 2-10 cm long and 2-20 mm wide.

The flower heads are small with conspicuous outer bracts reflexed outwards. The disk flowers are yellow and the 15-40 ray flowers are pink to lavender and range from 5-15 mm long. Long-leaved aster flowers from July to October.

Habitat:

Long-leaved aster is found from wet to dry habitats, from the lowlands to 3000 meters.

Range:

Long-leaved aster is found mostly east of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada to southern California, east to southeast Washington, Saskatchewan, and New Mexico.

Paul Slichter