Symphyotrichum subulatum var. elongatum

Eastern annual saltmarsh aster

Family: Asteraceae · Type: annual · Not Native

Eastern annual saltmarsh aster is a naturalized annual found in southern coastal California in wet places at elevations below 50 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces delicate pink to lavender ray flowers with corollas 2.5 to 3.5 millimeters long that dry in distinctive 2 to 3 coils. Growing with stems 30 to 200 centimeters tall, it spreads widely in marshy environments. Its slender, narrow leaves complement the plant's sprawling growth habit. The numerous ray flowers create a soft, airy appearance in late summer and early autumn wetland settings.

Habitat: Wet places

Bloom period: Aug-Oct

Elevation: < 50 m

Bioregions: SCo

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.