Leucosyris carnosa
Shrubby alkali aster, Shrubby Alkali Aster
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Leucosyris carnosa (Shrubby alkali aster) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by clear morphological differences in growth form and flower structure.
Shrubby alkali aster is a California native shrub found in the San Joaquin Valley, eastern South Coast, northeastern Sierra Nevada, and eastern Mojave Desert in alkaline soils at elevations of 100 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from June to October, this plant produces white disk flowers in heads approximately 6 to 7 millimeters wide, clustered at branch tips. Growing with much-branched stems 50 to 90 centimeters tall, it emerges from long underground rhizomes and has a distinctly glaucous (bluish-gray) appearance. Its leaves are fleshy and linear, proximal leaves reaching 1 to 2 centimeters long and 2 to 3 millimeters wide, with upper leaves reduced to small, appressed awl-shaped scales. The fruit is cylindrical, 2 to 3 millimeters long, with a pappus approximately 6 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; clear morphological differences in growth form and flower structure
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline soils
Elevation: 100-1600 m
California counties: Kern, Inyo, Los Angeles, San Bernardino
Outside California: southern Nevada, western and southern Arizona
Bloom period
Leucosyris carnosa blooms Jun-Oct.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leucosyris carnosa native to California?
Yes. Leucosyris carnosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leucosyris carnosa bloom?
Leucosyris carnosa blooms Jun-Oct.
Where in California does Leucosyris carnosa grow?
Leucosyris carnosa occurs in Kern, Inyo, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, at elevations of 100-1600 m.
What plant family does Leucosyris carnosa belong to?
Leucosyris carnosa is in the Asteraceae family, genus Leucosyris.
What habitat does Leucosyris carnosa grow in?
Leucosyris carnosa grows in Alkaline soils.
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.