Symphyotrichum foliaceum, July 26, 2022
Same, phyllaries
Common & scientific name
Leafy aster, Symphyotrichum foliaceum (Aster foliaceus)
Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae
Location
Linkins Lake trail, 11,900’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
What an incredibly variable plant this late-summer aster is! Its wider “petals” (ray florets)and broader, layered, leaf-like phyllaries distinguish it from the earlier-blooming Erigerons. In subalpine and alpine meadows, it commonly grows just 6” high, with few flower heads, and is often a deep purple/lavender as shown at left. Roadside it grows up to 3’ high with many (lighter-colored) flowered heads and noticeably red stems (photo to come).
I just wish they had come up with a more memorable, or pronounceable, or spell-able, name to replace “Aster” with . . . .