american asters

genus Symphyotrichum

Member of white daisies
sunflower family (family Asteraceae)
dicots (class Magnoliopsida)
flowering plants (subphylum Angiospermae)

Except for old historical records and extremely rare examples that I don't expect to encounter, there are no other wild species of this genus in the bay area.

outer phyllaries pale-margined > ½ length, length generally ≥ 3 × width

pacific aster
Symphyotrichum chilense

stem hairy distally
outer phyllaries pale-margined > ½ length, length generally ≥ 3 × width, obtuse
disk flowers: yellow
ray flowers: 8–12 mm, violet
very common, especially in the Santa Cruz range

douglas’ aster
Symphyotrichum subspicatum

stem ± hairy distally
outer phyllaries pale-margined > ½ length, length generally ≥ 3 × width, ± acute
disk flowers: yellow
ray flowers: 8–16 mm, violet
very rare

outer phyllaries pale-margined < ½ length, length generally < 3 × width

siskiyou aster
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium

outer phyllaries pale-margined < ½ length, length generally < 3 × width
stem ± hairy in lines
inflorescence bracts well developed
ray flowers: 6–12 mm, ± white to violet
rare

suisun marsh aster
Symphyotrichum lentum

outer phyllaries pale-margined < ½ length, length generally < 3 × width
stem ± glabrous
inflorescence bracts small
ray flowers: 8–14 mm, violet
rare

annual saltmarsh aster
Symphyotrichum subulatum

stem ± glabrous
disk flowers: yellow
ray flowers: 1.5–3 mm, ± white to pink
rare

1 observed taxon / 4 unobserved taxons / 1 key

Chris’s observations: 26 (8 are research grade)

Locations:

San Pedro Valley CP: 3
Skyline Ridge OSP: 3
Golden Gate National Recreation Area: 2
Murray Ranch SP: 2
Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP: 2
Sweeney Ridge National Recreation Area: 2
Butano SP
Coal Mine Ridge Nature Preserve
DeLaveaga Park, Santa Cruz
Jacks Peak CP
Long Ridge OSP
McNee Ranch / Montara Mountain SP
Pescadero Creek CP
Russian Ridge OSP
Salinas River
San Bruno Mountain State & County Park
Ulistac Natural Area, Santa Clara
Windy Hill OSP

Months:

May: 2
Jun.: 3
Jul.: 3
Aug.: 6
Sep.: 5
Oct.: 5
Nov.: 1
Dec.: 1

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Taxon info: iNaturalist – Calflora – Jepson eFlora – FNA

Bay Area species: iNaturalist – Calflora