Symphyotrichum subspicatum
Douglas aster, Douglas Aster
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Symphyotrichum subspicatum (Douglas aster) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by low elevation preference helps distinguish in northern CA.
Douglas aster is a California native perennial found in northwestern California, the Cascade Range, central western California, and the Modoc Plateau in open disturbed places at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces vibrant violet ray flowers 8 to 16 millimeters long in open clusters. Growing with stems 40 to 120 centimeters tall that are moderately hairy toward the upper portions, it spreads through a long underground rhizome. Its leaves range from oblanceolate to elliptic, varying from entire to slightly serrate, with a somewhat hairy surface and positioned both at the base and along the stem. The fruit is characteristically hairy, contributing to the plant's distinctive appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; low elevation preference helps distinguish in northern CA
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open disturbed places
Elevation: < 1000 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, Alberta, Montana
Bloom period
Symphyotrichum subspicatum blooms Jul-Sep.
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 subspicatum native to California?
Yes. Symphyotrichum subspicatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Symphyotrichum subspicatum bloom?
Symphyotrichum subspicatum blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Symphyotrichum subspicatum belong to?
Symphyotrichum subspicatum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Symphyotrichum.
What habitat does Symphyotrichum subspicatum grow in?
Symphyotrichum subspicatum grows in Open disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Symphyotrichum ascendens — Western aster
- Symphyotrichum bracteolatum — Eaton's aster
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.