Dieteria canescens var. incana
Hoary aster
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Dieteria canescens var. incana (Hoary aster) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by stiff erect habit and lower elevation.
Hoary aster is a California native perennial herb found in the Klamath Ranges in dry fields and sandy streamsides at elevations of 300 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces white to lavender ray flowers in heads 6 to 12 millimeters long, spreading to approximately 15 millimeters when pressed. Growing with stiffly erect stems up to 60 centimeters tall, it has branches that spread at sharp angles. Its leaves are arranged along the stem with a grayish-green coloration, contributing to its "hoary" appearance. The plant forms distinctive radiate flower heads with well-developed ray flowers and stiffly spreading branches.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key features are stiff erect habit and lower elevation
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry fields, sandy streamsides
Elevation: 300-1100 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Idaho
Bloom period
Dieteria canescens var. incana blooms Jun-Oct.
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 var. incana native to California?
Yes. Dieteria canescens var. incana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dieteria canescens var. incana bloom?
Dieteria canescens var. incana blooms Jun-Oct.
What plant family does Dieteria canescens var. incana belong to?
Dieteria canescens var. incana is in the Asteraceae family, genus Dieteria.
What habitat does Dieteria canescens var. incana grow in?
Dieteria canescens var. incana grows in dry fields, sandy streamsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.