Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium
Western lance leaf aster
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium (Western lance leaf aster) is a native California perennial in the Asteraceae family, recognized by tall stature and hairy stem lines distinctive.
Western lance leaf aster is a California native perennial found in southern California coastal areas, Peninsular Ranges, and southeastern Sierra Nevada in wet places at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white to violet ray flowers 6 to 12 millimeters long in delicate clusters. Growing with tall stems 60 to 160 centimeters high that have distinctive lines of fine hairs, it spreads through a long underground rhizome. Its lance-shaped leaves range 8 to 16 centimeters long, appearing somewhat hairy with entire to slightly serrated edges. The fruit is covered with fine hairs, contributing to the plant's distinctive texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; tall stature and hairy stem lines distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet places
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: Orange, Mono, San Bernardino, Inyo, Lassen, Santa Barbara, Butte, Kern, Los Angeles, Contra Costa, Alameda, San Diego, Alpine, Riverside, Ventura, Nevada, San Joaquin, Sonoma, Trinity, Tuolumne
Outside California: to Alberta, north-central United States
Bloom period
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium 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 lanceolatum var. hesperium native to California?
Yes. Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium bloom?
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium grow?
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium occurs in Orange, Mono, San Bernardino, Inyo, Lassen, Santa Barbara, Butte, Kern and other counties, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium belong to?
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium is in the Asteraceae family, genus Symphyotrichum.
What habitat does Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium grow in?
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum var. hesperium grows in Wet places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Symphyotrichum sp. — American-aster
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.