[Asters: The Genera Canadanthus, Eucephalus, Eurybia, Oreostemma, and Symphyotrichum in Mt. Adams Country]
Western Mountain Aster, Western Aster ?
Symphyotrichum spathulatum
formerly Aster occidentalis
The photo above shows a close-up of the involucral bracts of what might be western
mountain aster as found in a vernally moist area along Lakeside Road in the public fishing area of Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge..........September 22, 2007. Note the numerous hairs on the upper stem and outer surface of the involucral bracts as well as the purplish tips to the bracts. Possibly this could be a hybrid of western meadow aster with Douglas' aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum), which is found within 100 meters of this individual? Other "asters" found within a mile or two of this site include Klickitat aster (Eucephalus glaucescens), roughleaf aster (Eurybia radulina), and western meadow aster (Symphyotrichum campestrum).
The photo above shows a close-up of the flower head of what might be western mountain aster as found in a vernally moist area along Lakeside Road in the public fishing area of Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge..........September 22, 2007.
The photo above shows a close-up of a narrow midstem leaf of what might be western mountain aster as found in a vernally moist area along Lakeside Road in the public fishing area of Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge.........September 22, 2007.
The photo above shows a close-up of the flower head of what might be western mountain aster as found in a vernally moist area along Lakeside Road in the public fishing area of Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge..........September 22, 2007.
Paul Slichter