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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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Eucephalus engelmannii (Engelmann's aster)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

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.

 

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: 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 , Pink
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: CA , CO , ID , MT , NV , UT , WA , WY
Canada: 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: Medium
Light Requirement: Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Web 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 Plants
FNA: Find Eucephalus engelmannii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Eucephalus engelmannii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-12-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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