Asteraceae
Aster ledophyllus

Cascade Aster

Erect clump of hairy stems rise from woody base. Leaves elliptical to almost round, tips pointed to round, entire, sessile, upper surface shiny, underside pale green with matted hairs. Lower leaves scale-like, middle and upper leaves equal in length. Inflorescence is cyme. Flowers have few to 21 ray flowers, dark purple, blue, or pink, to 1 in. long, in cup of oblong green bracts with sometimes purple reflexed tips. Grows in meadows, open woods, mostly in subalpine.

  • Rarity: Locally Common
  • Flowering Time: Late Summer
  • Life Cycle: Perennial
  • Height: 1--2 feet
  • Habitat: West-Side Forest, Meadow, East-Side Forest, Subalpine
  • Found In: Mt. Rainier Np, N Cascades Np, West Gorge
  • Native: Yes

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