Common Aster
Aster Chamissonis, Gray. Composite Family
Stems.—Two to five feet high; loosely branching. Leaves.—Alternate; sessile; lanceolate; three to six inches long; the upper becoming small or minute. Flower-heads.—Five or six lines long; composed of yellow disk-flowers and violet or purple rays. Rays.—Twenty to twenty-five; half an inch long. Involucre.—Campanulate; of many small imbricated scales. Hab.—Throughout California.
We have not as many species of Aster as are found in the Eastern States, but we have some very beautiful ones. A. Chamissonis is one of our commonest and most widespread species. Its blossoms begin to appear in late summer and linger along through the fall. Many species of Erigeron (very closely allied to Aster) are called “asters” among us, and comprise some of our most charming flowers. These are found chiefly in the mountains, though E. glaucus is found upon the sea-beach and ocean cliffs.