About Symphyotrichum ascendens (Lindl.) G.L.Nesom
Symphyotrichum ascendens, commonly called western aster, is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial plant. It produces a branching, erect stem that grows 20 to 60 centimeters (8 to 24 inches) in height. Its leaves are broadly lance-shaped to oblong with pointed tips; the largest leaves, located near the base of the stem, can reach up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) long. Parts of the stem and leaves are covered in coarse, rough hairs. Its inflorescence is an arrangement of many flower heads. Each flower head holds many narrow ray florets, which range in color from violet to nearly white, surrounding a center of golden disc florets. Flowering occurs from July through September. The fruit produced is a hairy cypsela equipped with a long pappus. S. ascendens closely resembles Symphyotrichum chilense, which differs by having smaller flower heads. This species is native to western North America. Its range extends from British Columbia to Saskatchewan in Canada, south through the United States from Montana and North Dakota down to New Mexico, west to California, and north to Washington state, including all states located between these boundaries. It grows at elevations between 500 and 3,200 meters (1,600 and 10,500 feet), and can be found in multiple habitat types including grasslands, sagebrush steppe, and meadows.
