Dieteria canescens
Hoary-aster, Hoary-Aster
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Annual · Native
Dieteria canescens (Hoary-aster) is a native California annual in the Asteraceae family, recognized by including many varieties; highly variable species complex.
Hoary-aster is a California native annual herb found in diverse habitats across the state's varied landscapes. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces delicate ray flowers in white, blue, or purple, creating soft clusters of color up to 2 centimeters long. Growing up to 1.2 meters tall with a generally canescent-puberulent texture, it has an open and airy growth habit. Its leaves are linear to oblanceolate, typically 3 to 10 centimeters long and 2 to 6 millimeters wide, with margins that range from nearly entire to lightly toothed or minutely serrate. The plant's distinctive grayish-soft covering and variable flower colors make it a subtle but charming addition to California's wildflower communities.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species including many varieties; highly variable species complex
Habitat and range
California counties: Kern, Mono, Tulare, Alpine, El Dorado, Inyo, Lassen, Nevada, Plumas, Siskiyou, Los Angeles, Shasta, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Tuolumne, San Diego, Modoc, Sierra, Placer
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 canescens native to California?
Yes. Dieteria canescens is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Dieteria canescens grow?
Dieteria canescens occurs in Kern, Mono, Tulare, Alpine, El Dorado, Inyo, Lassen, Nevada and other counties.
What plant family does Dieteria canescens belong to?
Dieteria canescens is in the Asteraceae family, genus Dieteria.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.