Symphyotrichum ascendens, August 17, 2021
Common & scientific name
Western aster, Symphyotrichum ascendens
Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae
Location
Roadside, 8,700’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
Another common roadside aster, it grows tall and in abundance in late summer. It can be distinguished from purple daisies, Erigerons, by its wider ray florets (petals), and from other purple asters by its several rows of overlapping, shingle-like, dark-green phyllaries that curl outward. Owing to its hairiness and stiffness, it has a bit of a coarse look and feel.