About Symphyotrichum defoliatum (Parish) G.L.Nesom
Symphyotrichum defoliatum, commonly called San Bernardino aster, is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows from a long rhizome, reaching a maximum height of 150 centimeters, or 5 feet. Its leaves range from widely lance-shaped to oblong and are pointed at the tip. The largest leaves, found near the base of the stem, can grow up to 12 centimeters, or 4 and 3/4 inches, long. Both the stem and leaves are covered in rough hair. The plant produces an inflorescence made up of an array of flower heads. Each flower head holds 15 to 40 pale violet ray florets surrounding a center of golden disk florets. Its fruit is a hairy cypsela that features a long pappus. This species is endemic to Southern California. It is only confirmed to grow in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains of the Transverse Ranges, and in a portion of the Peninsular Ranges to the south. Its typical habitats include grasslands, meadows, and disturbed areas.
