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Symphyotrichum ascendens
Symphyotrichum ascendens (Lindl.) G.L. Nesom
Western Aster, Western American-aster, Purple Aster, Pacific Aster
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Aster adscendens, Aster ascendens, Aster chilensis ssp. adscendens, Aster macounii, Aster subgriseus, Virgulaster ascendens
USDA Symbol: SYAS3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
The ascending branches of this slender-stemmed, 8-24 in. perennial, bear narrow leaves and 6 in. flower spikes composed of showy, 2 in. wide pink to purplish flowers.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , Yellow , Blue , Purple , VioletBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Disc florets yellow, sometimes tinged purple.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NE , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WYCanada: AB , BC , SK
Native Distribution: Sask. to s.e. WA, s. to CO, n. AZ & c. CA
Native Habitat: Moist or dry meadows or woodland openings; 250-7000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist to drier soils.
Conditions Comments: This plant is not reliably drought tolerant.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Commercially Avail: yesNational Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FACU | FACU |
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1990 VOL. 7, NO.4 - Research Update, Wild-Collecting Endangers Natives, Director's Report, Maryland ...Additional resources
USDA: Find Symphyotrichum ascendens in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Symphyotrichum ascendens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symphyotrichum ascendens
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-19Research By: TWC Staff