Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi
Parry's aster
Photo: parent species Symphyotrichum foliaceum · no rights reserved · CC0
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi (Parry's aster) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by few heads and large rays with leafy bracts distinctive.
Parry's aster is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, and Warner Mountains in open woodland to alpine meadows at elevations of 1,400 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white to lavender flowers in clusters of 1 to 12 heads with distinctive green phyllaries. Growing with stems 10 to 40 centimeters tall, it spreads in clumped or slightly ascending form. Its leaves range from 5 to 12 centimeters long, typically narrow and elongated, characteristic of alpine and woodland aster species. The plant demonstrates remarkable adaptability, with chromosome variations that allow it to thrive in diverse mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; few heads and large rays with leafy bracts distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open woodland to alpine meadows
Elevation: 1400-2800 m
California counties: Tulare, Siskiyou, Butte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Shasta, Modoc, Mono, Lassen, Tuolumne, Tehama, Nevada, Fresno, Kern, Plumas, Calaveras, Placer, Amador, Alpine, Mendocino, Inyo, Madera, Trinity, Mariposa
Outside California: to Montana, New Mexico
Bloom period
Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi 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 foliaceum var. parryi native to California?
Yes. Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi bloom?
Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi grow?
Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi occurs in Tulare, Siskiyou, Butte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Shasta, Modoc, Mono and other counties, at elevations of 1400-2800 m.
What plant family does Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi belong to?
Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi is in the Asteraceae family, genus Symphyotrichum.
What habitat does Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi grow in?
Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi grows in Open woodland to alpine meadows.
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.