Spine, Hoary spine aster, Hoary tansyaster, Hoary purple aster, Pinyon aster
| Botanical Name | Dieteria canescens, var. ambigua, syn. Machaeranthera canescensm, var. ambigua |
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| Common Name | Spine, Hoary spine aster, Hoary tansyaster, Hoary purple aster, Pinyon aster | |
| Family | Asteraceae - Aster | |
| Description | Taprooted perennial. Leaves are narrow, about 1 –- 2 inches long but reduced to mere bracts at the top of the branches. Flower heads can occur singly at the ends of branches or form dense clusters in the upper half of the branches. Tiny achenes (seeds) carry a tuft of white bristles called a pappus. Plants seem to prosper under moderate to heavy grazing. Grows in elevations of up to 8500 feet. | |
| Mature Size | 1 ft - 18 inches | |
| Bloom | July -– October. Ray flowers are bright bluish purple to pink. | |
| Interesting Facts | This plant can become weedy and invasive. | |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses | None found |
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Photo for SFBG by Janice Tucker
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Photo for SFBG by Janice Tucker
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