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.

Western meadow aster may be found in open, dry places from the plains and valleys to moderate elevations in the mountains.

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.

In the Columbia River gorge, it may be found between the elevations of 0'-200' near the mouth of the Deschutes River.