Symphyotrichum defoliatum
San bernardino aster, San Bernardino Aster
(c) Millie Basden, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Symphyotrichum defoliatum (San bernardino aster) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by axillary leaf tufts and pale ray color distinctive.
San bernardino aster is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern California Peninsular Ranges, southern California Transverse Ranges, and desert mountains in grasslands and disturbed places at elevations below 2,050 meters. Flowering from July to November, this plant produces white to pale violet ray flowers 8 to 12 millimeters long in dense, narrow cyme-like clusters. Growing with erect stems 40 to 100 centimeters tall that are strigose throughout, it develops a short to long rhizome. Its leaves range from 4 to 12 centimeters long, narrowly oblong to oblanceolate, with smaller leaves clustered in stem axils and covered in strigose hairs. The fruit is notably hairy, contributing to its distinctive appearance in grassland habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; axillary leaf tufts and pale ray color distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Grassland, disturbed places
Elevation: < 2050 m
Bloom period
Symphyotrichum defoliatum blooms Jul-Nov.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 defoliatum native to California?
Yes. Symphyotrichum defoliatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Symphyotrichum defoliatum bloom?
Symphyotrichum defoliatum blooms Jul-Nov.
What plant family does Symphyotrichum defoliatum belong to?
Symphyotrichum defoliatum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Symphyotrichum.
Is Symphyotrichum defoliatum rare or endangered?
Symphyotrichum defoliatum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Symphyotrichum defoliatum grow in?
Symphyotrichum defoliatum grows in Grassland, disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Symphyotrichum foliaceum — Alpine leafybract aster
- Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum — Alpine leafybract aster
- Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi — Parry's aster
- Symphyotrichum frondosum — Short rayed alkali aster
- Symphyotrichum greatae — Greata's aster
- Symphyotrichum hendersonii — Henderson's aster
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.