(White Prairie Aster)
Symphyotrichum falcatum, Knife Edge Trail, Mesa Verde NP, Montezuma Co. 1105
Symphyotrichum falcatum, Knife Edge Trail, Mesa Verde NP, Montezuma Co. 1098
Symphyotrichum falcatum, Knife Edge Trail, Mesa Verde NP, Montezuma Co. 1109
Symphyotrichum falcatum, Knife Edge Trail, Mesa Verde NP, Montezuma Co. 1119
Symphyotrichum falcatum, Knife Edge Trail, Mesa Verde NP, Montezuma Co. 1118
| 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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