Symphyotrichum hendersonii
Henderson's aster
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Symphyotrichum hendersonii (Henderson's aster) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by tall stature and Klamath range restriction help identify.
Henderson's aster is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in meadows and forest openings at elevations of 1,000 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces violet ray flowers 9 to 15 millimeters long in delicate open clusters. Growing with stems 70 to 150 centimeters tall, which are glabrous to slightly hairy toward the top, it spreads through a long rhizome. Its leaves range from 4 to 15 centimeters long, oblanceolate to elliptic in shape, becoming progressively smaller up the stem and remaining mostly glabrous. The plant produces heads with linear to oblong phyllaries that have green tips and pale margins at the base.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; tall stature and Klamath range restriction help identify
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows, forest openings
Elevation: 1000-1500 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Idaho
Bloom period
Symphyotrichum hendersonii 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 hendersonii native to California?
Yes. Symphyotrichum hendersonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Symphyotrichum hendersonii bloom?
Symphyotrichum hendersonii blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Symphyotrichum hendersonii belong to?
Symphyotrichum hendersonii is in the Asteraceae family, genus Symphyotrichum.
What habitat does Symphyotrichum hendersonii grow in?
Symphyotrichum hendersonii grows in Meadows, forest openings.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Symphyotrichum occidentale var. occidentale
- Symphyotrichum occidentale var. yosemitanum — Western bog aster
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-08
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.