Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum
Alpine leafybract aster
Photo: parent species Symphyotrichum foliaceum · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum (Alpine leafybract aster) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by alpine elevation, short stature, and large rays diagnostic.
Alpine leafybract aster is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, and Sierra Nevada in alpine and subalpine meadows at elevations of 2,700 to 3,200 meters. Flowering in August, this plant produces white ray flowers with purple-tinged phyllary heads. Growing with slender stems 5 to 20 centimeters tall, it forms compact clusters in high-elevation mountain environments. Its leaves are generally 3 to 10 centimeters long, distributed along the stem with a delicate, sparse arrangement. The plant's distinctive purple-tinged flower bracts and high-altitude habitat make it a notable alpine species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; alpine elevation, short stature, and large rays diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alpine and subalpine meadows
Elevation: 2700-3200 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum blooms 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 foliaceum var. apricum native to California?
Yes. Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum bloom?
Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum blooms Aug.
What plant family does Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum belong to?
Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Symphyotrichum.
What habitat does Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum grow in?
Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. apricum grows in Alpine and subalpine meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.