Dieteria canescens var. leucanthemifolia
Hoary aster
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Dieteria canescens var. leucanthemifolia (Hoary aster) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by shortest involucre and desert habitat.
Hoary aster is a California native perennial herb found in the eastern Peninsular Ranges, eastern Sierra Nevada, and Mojave Desert in desert scrub habitats at elevations of 750 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white ray flowers in heads 6 to 12 millimeters long, expanding to 15 millimeters when pressed. Growing 1 to 5 decimeters tall with spreading to erect stems that branch loosely and ascend upward, it forms an open, somewhat delicate structure. Its leaves and stems are typically covered in a grayish pubescence, giving the plant its "hoary" characteristic. The fertile ray flowers have well-developed styles, creating distinctive daisy-like flower heads typical of aster species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are shortest involucre and desert habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert scrub
Elevation: 750-2000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Ventura, Tulare, Kern, San Diego
Outside California: to eastern Oregon, Utah
Bloom period
Dieteria canescens var. leucanthemifolia blooms May-Jun.
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. leucanthemifolia native to California?
Yes. Dieteria canescens var. leucanthemifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Dieteria canescens var. leucanthemifolia bloom?
Dieteria canescens var. leucanthemifolia blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Dieteria canescens var. leucanthemifolia grow?
Dieteria canescens var. leucanthemifolia occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, Ventura, Tulare, Kern, San Diego, at elevations of 750-2000 m.
What plant family does Dieteria canescens var. leucanthemifolia belong to?
Dieteria canescens var. leucanthemifolia is in the Asteraceae family, genus Dieteria.
What habitat does Dieteria canescens var. leucanthemifolia grow in?
Dieteria canescens var. leucanthemifolia grows in Desert scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.