Symphyotrichum frondosum
Short rayed alkali aster
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Symphyotrichum frondosum (Short rayed alkali aster) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by annual habit and numerous short rays highly diagnostic.
Short rayed alkali aster is a California native annual found in the Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, northern Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and Great Basin in marshes and lake edges, often in alkaline habitats at elevations of 700 to 2,450 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces pink-purple ray flowers less than 8 millimeters long in delicate clusters with numerous narrow rays. Growing with stems 20 to 60 centimeters tall that are decumbent to erect and nearly smooth, it has a spreading, adaptable form. Its leaves are sessile, elliptic to obovate, 2 to 5 centimeters long, ranging from glabrous to finely ciliate along the edges. The fruits are slightly hairy, adding texture to the plant's overall appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; annual habit and numerous short rays highly diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marshes, lake edges, often alkaline
Elevation: 700-2450 m
California counties: Lake, Inyo, San Bernardino, San Diego, Mono, Siskiyou, Lassen, Kern, Tulare, Plumas, Modoc, Fresno, Ventura, Alameda, Nevada, El Dorado
Outside California: to British Columbia, Wyoming, Arizona
Bloom period
Symphyotrichum frondosum blooms May-Oct.
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 frondosum native to California?
Yes. Symphyotrichum frondosum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Symphyotrichum frondosum bloom?
Symphyotrichum frondosum blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Symphyotrichum frondosum grow?
Symphyotrichum frondosum occurs in Lake, Inyo, San Bernardino, San Diego, Mono, Siskiyou, Lassen, Kern and other counties, at elevations of 700-2450 m.
What plant family does Symphyotrichum frondosum belong to?
Symphyotrichum frondosum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Symphyotrichum.
What habitat does Symphyotrichum frondosum grow in?
Symphyotrichum frondosum grows in Marshes, lake edges, often alkaline.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Symphyotrichum greatae — Greata's aster
- Symphyotrichum hendersonii — Henderson's aster
- Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium — Western lance leaf aster
- Symphyotrichum lentum — Suisun marsh aster
- Symphyotrichum occidentale — Western mountain aster
- Symphyotrichum occidentale var. intermedius — Larger western mountain 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.