Ionactis alpina
| Ionactis alpina | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Ionactis |
| Species: | I. alpina |
| Binomial name | |
| Ionactis alpina (Nutt.) Greene 1897 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Ionactis alpina (formerly Aster scopulorum; common name Lava Ankle-aster) is a species of aster known by the common name lava aster. It is native to western United States from California to Montana,[2] where it grows in dry areas.[3]
Description
Ionactis alpina is a perennial herb growing from a caudex and fibrous root system. It produces a short, mostly erect, hairy stem up to 12 centimeters (4.8 inches) in height. Most of the small leaves are on the lower part of the stem. They are up to about a centimeter (0.4 inches) long, oval to lance-shaped and pointed, somewhat stiff and coated in hairs. [4]
The inflorescence bears solitary flower heads with purple-green phyllaries, 7–21 thin blue, purple, or occasionally white ray florets surrounding 19–50 long yellow disc florets. The fruit is a hairy achene.[4]
References
External links
- Jepson Manual Treatment - Ionactis alpina
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile; Ionactis alpina
- Ionactis alpina in the CalPhotos Photo Database, University of California, Berkeley