Alternate name: Leafy-bract American-aster

Family: Asteraceae, Aster view all from this family

Description A patch-forming perennial aster with hairy stems and purple flowers.
Flowers: 1/2" (12 mm) wide, with violet to blue rays around yellow disk, cupped by green, translucent-edged bracts.
Leaves: narrowly lanceolate, mostly toothed.
Height: 24" (60 cm).

Flower August-September.

Habitat Lowlands, especially beaches, salt and fresh marshes, ditches, streamsides, meadows, clearings.

Range Coastal Alaska south to Oregon and Montana and east across Canada to Newfoundland.

Discussion This Northwest native grows in both fresh and saline situations. It is a handsome plant with pretty late summer flowers. It is often offered in native plant nurseries.