Symphyotrichum foliaceum, July 30, 2023
August 1, 2023
Common & scientific name
Leafy aster, Symphyotrichum foliaceum (Aster foliaceus)
Family
Sunflower, Asteraceae
Location
North Fork Lost Creek trail, 11,000’
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. 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 . . . .