Symphyotrichum chilense

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant in family Asteraceae}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = J20170824-0034—Symphyotrichum chilense—RPBG—DxO (36851458535) (cropped).jpg

| image_alt =

| image_caption =

| status = G5

| status_system = TNC

| status_ref = {{sfn|NatureServe|2021}}

| range_map = Symphyotrichum chilense distribution.png

| range_map_alt = Symphyotrichum chilense distribution

| range_map_caption = Native distribution{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}}

| display_parents = 5

| parent = Symphyotrichum sect. Occidentales

| genus = Symphyotrichum

| species = chilense

| authority = (Nees) G.L.Nesom{{sfn|POWO|2021}}

| synonyms_ref = {{sfn|POWO|2021}}

| synonyms = Basionym

Aster chilensis {{small|Nees}}

{{Collapsible list|title=Alphabetical list

|{{Species list

| Aster chamissonis| A.Gray

| Aster chilensis var. invenustus| (Greene) Jeps.

| Aster chilensis var. medius| Jeps.

| Aster chilensis var. sonomensis| (Greene) Jeps.

| Aster chilensis subsp. typicus| Cronquist

| Aster invenustus| Greene

| Aster neesii| Sch.Bip.

| Aster radula| Less.

| Aster sonomensis| Greene

| Aster spectabilis | Hook. & Arn.

| Symphyotrichum chilense var. invenustum| (Greene) G.L.Nesom

| Symphyotrichum chilense var. medium| (Jeps.) G.L.Nesom

}}

Symphyotrichum chilense (formerly Aster chilensis) is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common names Pacific aster and common California aster.{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}} It is native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia to Southern California and the Channel Islands. It grows in many habitats, especially along the coast and in the coastal mountain ranges. Despite its scientific name, it does not occur in Chile. Pacific aster blooms from June to October with violet ray florets surrounding yellow disk florets.

Description

File:Symphyotrichum chilense 326793 (cropped).jpg

Symphyotrichum chilense is a rhizomatous, perennial, herbaceous plant growing to heights between {{convert|40|and|120|cm|ft|0|abbr=off|sp=us|frac=4}}. The sparsely hairy leaves are narrowly oval-shaped, pointed, and sometimes finely serrated along the edges.{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}} The inflorescence holds flower heads that open June–October{{sfn|Allen|2012}} with centers of {{Nowrap|35–60+}} yellow disk florets surrounded by {{Nowrap|15–40}} narrow violet ray florets. The fruit is a seed, specifically a rounded, hairy cypsela with pappi.{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}}

Distribution and habitat

Pacific aster is native to west coast provinces and states of North America in British Columbia;{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}} California, including Southern California and the Channel Islands;{{sfn|Allen|2012}} Oregon; and, Washington.{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}} Despite its scientific name, it does not occur in Chile.{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}}

It can be found in coastal habitats including salt marshes, ocean dunes and banks, grasslands, and coniferous forests, at elevations of {{convert|0–500|m|ft|-2|abbr=off|sp=us}}.{{sfn|Brouillet|Semple|Allen|Chambers|2006}}