Symphyotrichum sp.
American-aster, American-Aster
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Symphyotrichum sp. (American-aster) is a non-native California perennial in the Asteraceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Symphyotrichum sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Symphyotrichum sp. belong to?
Symphyotrichum sp. is in the Asteraceae family, genus Symphyotrichum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Symphyotrichum spathulatum var. spathulatum — Western mountain aster
- Symphyotrichum subspicatum — Douglas aster
- Symphyotrichum subulatum — Annual saltmarsh aster
- Symphyotrichum subulatum var. elongatum — Eastern annual saltmarsh aster
- Symphyotrichum subulatum var. parviflorum — Eastern annual saltmarsh aster
- Symphyotrichum subulatum var. squamatum — Eastern annual saltmarsh aster
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.