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

Symphyotrichum chilense (formerly Aster chilensis) is a species of aster known by the common names Pacific aster and common California aster.

It is native to the West Coast of North America from British Columbia to Southern California and the Channel Islands. It grows in many types of habitats, especially along the coast and in the coastal mountain ranges. Despite its Latin name, it does not occur in Chile.

Description

Symphyotrichum chilense is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing to heights between 40 centimeters and one meter. The hairy leaves are narrowly oval-shaped, pointed, and sometimes finely serrated along the edges.

The inflorescence holds aster flower heads with centers of yellow disc florets and fringes of many narrow light purple ray florets. The fruit is a rounded, hairy achene with a pappus.