Key for Asters in the Columbia River Gorge

1a. Heads large and solitary on almost leafless stems with greatly reduced leaves. Basal leaves numerous and narrow. Subalpine to alpine plants................Alpine Aster Aster alpigenus

1b. heads small or large, usually several to numerous in the inflorescence. Stems definitely leafy................Go to 2.

2a. Involucre noticeably glandular................ Go to 3.

2b. Involucre not glandular................ Go to 4.

3a. Stems stout, mostly over 40 cm high. Numerous leaves are thin with several teeth on the margins. Leaves commonly over 5 cm long. Involucre 8-12 mm high................Great Northern Aster Aster modestus

3b. Stems slender, usually under 40 cm high. Leaves linear or linear-oblanceolate, 5 cm long or less. Involucre 6-8 mm high................Western Meadow Aster Aster campestris

4a. Leaves glaucous (bluish-green)................Klickitat Aster Aster glaucescens

4b. Leaves not glaucous (greenish)................ Go to 5.

5a.