Plant Image
Flower head
Watson lake - Sue Smith


Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants

Machaeranthera asteroides - fall tansyaster

Synonyms: Aster amplifolius, A. canescens var. latifolius, A. canescens var. tephrodes, A. tephrodes, Dieteria asteroids and others see SEINET.
Other Common Names: starry spine aster
Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub

Family: Asteraceae


   
 
line decor
  Home   Plant Communities Plant List Search Forbs and Subshrubs Search Grasses Search Woody Plants Additional Resources About this Website
line decor
 

Click on Any Image for a Larger View

Leaves
Watson lake
Sue Smith
Leaves and stems
Watson lake
Sue Smith
Leaves
Watson lake
Sue Smith
Plant - summer
Watson lake
Sue Smith
Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native   Life Cycle: Biennial or perennial   Similar Species: Dietiera canescens, Dieteria bigelovii
General Desc: 1 to several stems from base, generally branched above and bushy. Several blue or purple daisy-like flowers with yellow centers on branching stems.
Identification notes: Biennial or short-lived perennial, leaves alternate, stalkless, toothed, teeth often tipped with spines. Herbage often hairy-glandular. Ray flowers blue or purple; phyllaries in series of 5 to 12, tips acute to long-acuminate, spreading to reflexed.
Height: 2 feet or more


Habitat

Habitat Description: Found in alluvial soils and on slopes in creosote shrubland to pine-oak and juniper woodlands.
Plant Communities: Desert Scrub, Interior Chaparral, Semidesert Grasslands, Pinyon Juniper Woodland
Elevation: 1000 - 8000 feet


Flower Characteristics

Color: Blue to purple     Shape: Daisy or dandelion-like in elongated clusters     Tubular: N     Flowering Period: Jun - Nov
Description: Blue or purple rays, yellow disc flowers, to 1 inch wide. Bracts (phyllaries) in 5 to 12 series, well graduated in length with the outer phyllaries much shorter than the inner.


Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Grayish-green     Leaf Type: Simple     Leaf Shape: Narrow     Leaf Margin: Toothed     Leaf Attachment: Alternate     Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: Leaves and stems     Spines: Y
Leaf Description: Sessile and sandpapery, 1 to 3 inches long, margins usually toothed, teeth often tipped with tiny hair-like spines.


Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Brown   
Fruit Type: Achene
Fruit Notes: Achenes are lined, smooth to velvety.
Seed Notes: Seeds topped with bristles.



  Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590
Version 8.0  
http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php  
Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022
Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson  
Legal Disclaimer