Symphyotrichum chilense

Symphyotrichum chilense (formerly Aster chilensis) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common names Pacific aster and common California aster.Template:Sfn It is native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia to Southern California and the Channel Islands. It grows in many habitats, especially along the coast and in the coastal mountain ranges. Despite its scientific name, it does not occur in Chile. Pacific aster blooms from June to October with violet ray florets surrounding yellow disk florets.

Description

File:Symphyotrichum chilense 326793 (cropped).jpg

Part of an inflorescence of S. chilense

Symphyotrichum chilense is a rhizomatous, perennial, herbaceous plant growing to heights between . The sparsely hairy leaves are narrowly oval-shaped, pointed, and sometimes finely serrated along the edges.Template:Sfn The inflorescence holds flower heads that open June–OctoberTemplate:Sfn with centers of 35–60+ yellow disk florets surrounded by 15–40 narrow violet ray florets. The fruit is a seed, specifically a rounded, hairy cypsela with pappi.Template:Sfn

Distribution and habitat

Pacific aster is native to west coast provinces and states of North America in British Columbia;Template:Sfn California, including Southern California and the Channel Islands;Template:Sfn Oregon; and, Washington.Template:Sfn Despite its scientific name, it does not occur in Chile.Template:Sfn

It can be found in coastal habitats including salt marshes, ocean dunes and banks, grasslands, and coniferous forests, at elevations of .Template:Sfn

References

• Template:Cite Jepson eFlora
• Template:Cite eFloras
• Template:Cite POWO

External links

• Template:CalPhotos