Symphyotrichum subulatum var. squamatum
Eastern annual saltmarsh aster
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Annual · Not Native
Symphyotrichum subulatum var. squamatum (Eastern annual saltmarsh aster) is a non-native California annual in the Asteraceae family, recognized by small whitish rays and curled drying pattern.
Eastern annual saltmarsh aster is a naturalized annual found in southern Sacramento Valley and Central Coast bioregions in salt marshes, wet places, and disturbed ground at elevations up to 50 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white ray flowers with pale petals that tend to curl when dry. Growing 30 to 150 centimeters tall with multiple branching stems, it forms an open and spreading habit across wet or disturbed ground. Its narrow leaves are typically small and lance-shaped, covering the plant's slender stems. The flower heads are relatively small, with 21 to 30 delicate white ray flowers creating a subtle, wispy appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; small whitish rays and curled drying pattern
Habitat and range
Habitat: Salt marshes, wet places, disturbed ground
Elevation: <= 50 m
Outside California: southeastern United States, Mexico, Eurasia, Australia, native to South America
Bloom period
Symphyotrichum subulatum var. squamatum blooms Jul-Oct.
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 subulatum var. squamatum native to California?
No. Symphyotrichum subulatum var. squamatum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Symphyotrichum subulatum var. squamatum bloom?
Symphyotrichum subulatum var. squamatum blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Symphyotrichum subulatum var. squamatum belong to?
Symphyotrichum subulatum var. squamatum is in the Asteraceae family, genus Symphyotrichum.
What habitat does Symphyotrichum subulatum var. squamatum grow in?
Symphyotrichum subulatum var. squamatum grows in Salt marshes, wet places, disturbed ground.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Symphyotrichum ascendens — Western aster
- Symphyotrichum bracteolatum — Eaton's aster
- Symphyotrichum campestre — Western meadow aster
- Symphyotrichum chilense — California aster
- Symphyotrichum defoliatum — San bernardino aster
- Symphyotrichum foliaceum — Alpine leafybract aster
- Syntrichopappus fremontii — Fremont's syntrichopappus
- Syntrichopappus lemmonii — Lemmon's syntrichopappus
- Syntrichopappus sp.
- Tagetes erecta — African or french marigold
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.