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Eucephalus engelmannii
Eucephalus engelmannii (D.C. Eaton) Greene
Engelmann's Aster
Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Synonym(s): Aster elegans var. engelmannii, Aster engelmannii
USDA Symbol: EUEN
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Stems leafy in the middle, but not below, and branched near top, and at ends of branches, flower heads with a few white or pinkish rays.
This is one of a number of tall asters; the stems straight, erect, few in a bunch, branched only near the top. Its heads, with a few often slightly curled rays, have a ragged appearance.
The species of this plant is named for George Engelmann (1809-1884) who was born in Germany and settled in St. Louis, Missouri, as a young man. He was a physician and botanist, describing especially North American Abies (Firs), Agaves, Cactus (for which he described more than 108 species), Cuscuta (Dodder), Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family), Juncus (Rushes), Juniperus (“Cedar”), Pinus (Pines), Vitis (Grapes), and Yuccas. When he died much of his collection went to Missouri Botanical Garden.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb , Subshrub
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall, often. much shorter.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Fruit is a cypsela (pl. cypselae). Though technically incorrect, the fruit is often referred to as an achene.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: CA , CO , ID , MT , NV , UT , WA , WYCanada: AB , BC
Native Distribution: Western Canada south to Washington, northeastern Nevada, and northern Colorado.
Native Habitat: Open places and openings in woods.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesWeb Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Eucephalus engelmannii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Eucephalus engelmannii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eucephalus engelmannii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-12-27Research By: TWC Staff