Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis
Mount laguna aster, Mount Laguna Aster
Photo: parent species Dieteria asteroides · (c) Sandra Keller, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis (Mount laguna aster) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by narrow entire leaves and short phyllary tips.
Mount laguna aster is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in the Peninsular Ranges of the Laguna Mountains in San Diego County in chaparral, oak woodland, and lower montane forest at elevations of 800 to 2,400 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white to lavender flowers in daisy-like heads with narrow ray petals. Growing with slender stems 20 to 50 centimeters tall, it forms a compact clump with multiple flowering branches. Its mid-stem leaves are narrow, 2 to 5 millimeters wide, with entire or slightly toothed edges, arranged alternately along the stems. The flower heads have involucres with distinctively acute phyllary tips 1 to 3 millimeters long, giving the plant a delicate and refined appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are narrow entire leaves and short phyllary tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, oak woodland, lower montane forest
Elevation: 800-2400 m
California counties: San Diego, San Bernardino
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis blooms Jul-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Corethrogyne: Dieteria has small heads under 3cm; Corethrogyne typically larger heads.; vs Symphyotrichum: Dieteria has shorter rays (6-20mm); Symphyotrichum typically longer rays.; vs Erigeron: Dieteria heads under 3cm with 6-20mm rays; Erigeron often smaller with narrower, more numerous rays.; vs Machaeranthera: Dieteria has simple entire to toothed leaves; Machaeranthera has fern-like dissected leaves.; vs Xylorhiza: Dieteria has small heads under 3cm; Xylorhiza has large showy heads over 3cm.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis native to California?
Yes. Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis bloom?
Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis grow?
Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis occurs in San Diego, San Bernardino, at elevations of 800-2400 m.
What plant family does Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis belong to?
Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Dieteria.
Is Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis rare or endangered?
Dieteria asteroides var. lagunensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.