Scientific Name | Symphyotrichum falcatum (Aster falcatum) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | SYFA |
Common Name | White Prairie Aster | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 522205 |
Family | Asteraceae (Sunflower) | SEINet Reference |
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Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains to Montane (3500 to 10000 ft.); dry sandy or rocky soils in grasslands, fields, meadows and roadsides. Plant: Colony-forming, erect perennial 8 to 32 inches tall; single or multiple, hairy stems from the base, initially green turning brown and woody. Leaves: Basal leaves withered by flowering time; stem leaves are linear to narrowly lanceolate, up to 3 inches long and less than 1/4 inch wide; sessile; margins are coarsely ciliate, surfaces are moderately to densely strigose (short, stiff hairs); tips have a white spine (acuminate); leaves become short and more crowded near flower heads. Inflorescence: Cylindrical clusters of composite flowers about 1 inch across with 17 to 35 white to light lavender rays and 18 to 30 yellow disk flowers that turn reddish with age; involucres are bell-shaped with 3 to 4 layers of unequal-length, reflexed, somewhat hairy phyllaries with acuminate tips. Bloom Period: July to October. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Minnesota Wildflowers, SW Colorado Wildflowers, American Southwest and Flora of North America. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() Map Color Key | Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2025
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains
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