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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Machaeranthera bigelovii var. bigelovii (Bigelow's tansyaster)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Machaeranthera bigelovii var. bigelovii

Machaeranthera bigelovii (A. Gray) Greene var. bigelovii

Bigelow's Tansyaster, Plains Aster, Tansy Aster

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Synonym(s): Aster aquifolius, Aster bigelovii, Aster pattersonii, Aster rubrotinctus, Machaeranthera aquifolia, Machaeranthera centaureoides, Machaeranthera pattersonii, Machaeranthera rubricaulis

USDA Symbol: MABIB

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This is a showy, annual or biennial tansy aster with large, lavender-rayed flowers seen blooming en masse in autumn. The 1-3 ft. plant blooms to a lesser extent in spring and summer. Foliage on the leafy stems is sticky and hairy.

 

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Biennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
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: Purple
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: CO , NM , NV , OK , WY
Native Distribution: W. CO, NM & AZ
Native Habitat: Canyons; slopes; plains; 3000-7000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Shallow or rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Plains aster can begin blooming as early as March, but its main bloom period starts in September.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Commercially Avail: yes

Additional resources

USDA: Find Machaeranthera bigelovii var. bigelovii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Machaeranthera bigelovii var. bigelovii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Machaeranthera bigelovii var. bigelovii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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