Pacific aster facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pacific aster
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Listed alphabetically List Aster chamissonis A.Gray Aster chilensis Nees Aster chilensis var. invenustus (Greene) Jeps. Aster chilensis var. medius Jeps. Aster chilensis var. sonomensis (Greene) Jeps. Aster chilensis subsp. typicus Cronquist Aster invenustus Greene Aster neesii Sch.Bip. Aster radula Less. Aster sonomensis Greene Aster spectabilis Hook. & Arn. Symphyotrichum chilense var. invenustum (Greene) G.L.Nesom Symphyotrichum chilense var. medium (Jeps.) G.L.Nesom

The Pacific aster (scientific name: Symphyotrichum chilense) is a beautiful wild flower. People also call it the common California aster. It used to be known as Aster chilensis.

You can find this plant growing along the West Coast of North America. It lives all the way from British Columbia in Canada down to Southern California and the Channel Islands. It likes to grow in many different places, especially near the coast and in coastal mountains. Even though its name sounds like "Chile," this plant does not grow in Chile!

What Does the Pacific Aster Look Like?

The Pacific aster is a plant that comes back year after year. It grows from special underground stems called rhizomes. These help the plant spread and grow new shoots.

This plant can grow to be between 40 centimeters (about 1.3 feet) and one meter (about 3.3 feet) tall. Its leaves are narrow and oval-shaped. They are often a bit hairy and have pointed ends. Sometimes, the edges of the leaves are slightly jagged.

The Pacific aster has pretty flower heads. These are like mini bouquets! In the center, you'll see many tiny yellow flowers. These are called disc florets. Around the outside, there are many thin, light purple petals. These are called ray florets.

After the flowers bloom, the plant makes small, round fruits. These fruits are hairy and have a fluffy top. This fluffy part is called a pappus. It helps the seeds float away in the wind.