Symphyotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum
(Western Mountain Aster)
Symphyotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum, County Line Trail, Grand Mesa NF, Delta Co. 0737
Symphyotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum, Gore Pass, Grand Co. 1849
Symphyotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum, Gore Pass, Grand Co. 1858
Symphyotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum, Gore Pass, Grand Co. 1867
Symphyotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum, County Line Trail, Grand Mesa NF, Delta Co. 0741
Symphyotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum, Gore Pass, Grand Co. 1853
Symphyotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum, County Line Trail, Grand Mesa NF, Delta Co. 0743
Symphyotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum, County Line Trail, Grand Mesa NF, Delta Co. 0745
| Scientific Name | Symphyotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum (Aster spathulatus) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | SYSPS |
| Common Name | Western Mountain Aster | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 566344 |
| Family | Asteraceae (Sunflower) | SEINet Reference |
Click Here |
| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Foothills to subalpine (6000 to 10500 ft.); moist areas along streams and in meadows and forest openings. Plant: Erect perennial 8 to 24 inches tall with one to several stems that are smooth or sparsely covered with downy hairs, especially below the inflorescence. Leaves: Lower stem leaves narrowly oblanceolate to lanceolate to elliptic, up to 6 inches long, smooth surfaces with hairs along edges; shorter upper stem leaves narrowly-elliptic, lanceolate or linear and sessile. Inflorescence: Three to 10 composite flower heads in rounded cluster (cymose panicle), each 1 to 1-1/2 inches across with 15 to 50 rays, normally purple, violet or bluish; 30 to 80 yellow disk florets; phyllaries in 3–5 series, narrowly oblong or linear and unequal in length, surfaces smooth or somewhat downy-hairy. Bloom period: July to October. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Aster spathulatus in "The Alpine Flora of the Rocky Mountains" by Richard W. Scott, American Southwest, SW Colorado Wildflowers, and Flora of North America |
BONAP Distribution Map
Map Color Key | Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains