Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei
Cascade aster
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei (Cascade aster) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by intermediate leaf hairiness and ray length between congeners.
Cascade aster is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and northern Coast Ranges in meadows and open woodlands at elevations of 1,300 to 2,500 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces violet to purple ray flowers in radiate heads with 5 to 13 rays, creating delicate clusters of blooms. Growing with stems 20 to 80 centimeters tall that are slightly hairy and glandular, it forms an open, graceful structure. Its leaves are elliptic to oblong, 2 to 6 centimeters long, with pale green undersides that are softly woolly and smooth upper surfaces. The flower heads feature unequal phyllaries with pale bases and green midveins tipped in purple, adding subtle complexity to its delicate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; intermediate leaf hairiness and ray length between congeners
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, open woodland
Elevation: 1300-2500 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Humboldt, Glenn, Trinity, Del Norte
Outside California: to southern Oregon
Bloom period
Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei blooms Jul-Sep.
Frequently asked questions
Is Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei native to California?
Yes. Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei bloom?
Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei grow?
Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei occurs in Siskiyou, Humboldt, Glenn, Trinity, Del Norte, at elevations of 1300-2500 m.
What plant family does Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei belong to?
Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei is in the Asteraceae family, genus Doellingeria.
What habitat does Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei grow in?
Doellingeria ledophylla var. covillei grows in Meadows, open woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.