Symphyotrichum bracteolatum
Eaton's aster
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Symphyotrichum bracteolatum (Eaton's aster) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by white to pink rays distinguish from violet-rayed relatives.
Eaton's aster is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and Great Basin in wet habitats at elevations of 500 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white to pink or pink-purple ray flowers in delicate clusters up to 10 centimeters long. Growing with erect stems 40 to 100 centimeters tall that are slightly hairy toward the top, it has a short rhizome and distinctive branching habit. Its leaves are narrowly lanceolate, 5 to 15 centimeters long, sessile, and generally entire, ranging from glabrous to slightly hairy. The fruit is characterized by its hairy texture, adding to the plant's delicate woodland appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; white to pink rays distinguish from violet-rayed relatives
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet places
Elevation: 500-2000 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Colorado
Bloom period
Symphyotrichum bracteolatum blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Corethrogyne: Corethrogyne has distinctive brown/reddish pappus; Symphyotrichum has white pappus; vs Erigeron: Erigeron has 50+ very thin rays per head; Symphyotrichum has fewer wider rays; vs Eurybia: Eurybia has two-toned bracts (green tips, white bases); Symphyotrichum bracts are all green; vs Aster: Aster is the old name for Symphyotrichum - they're the same plants; vs Dieteria: Dieteria has spinulose-tipped bracts; Symphyotrichum bracts lack spiny tips
Frequently asked questions
Is Symphyotrichum bracteolatum native to California?
Yes. Symphyotrichum bracteolatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Symphyotrichum bracteolatum bloom?
Symphyotrichum bracteolatum blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Symphyotrichum bracteolatum belong to?
Symphyotrichum bracteolatum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Symphyotrichum.
What habitat does Symphyotrichum bracteolatum grow in?
Symphyotrichum bracteolatum grows in Wet places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Symphyotrichum campestre — Western meadow aster
- Symphyotrichum chilense — California aster
- Symphyotrichum defoliatum — San bernardino aster
- Symphyotrichum foliaceum — Alpine leafybract aster
- Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum — Alpine leafybract aster
- Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi — Parry's aster
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.