About Symphyotrichum greatae (Parish) G.L.Nesom
Symphyotrichum greatae is a colonizing perennial herb that grows from a long rhizome. It produces upright to erect stems that are usually 50 to 120 centimeters (1+3⁄4 to 4 feet) tall. Most of its leaves are oval-shaped with pointed tips; the leaves at the plant base can reach up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) long. Both the leaves and parts of the stems are covered in hairs. The inflorescence is an open cluster of flower heads, arranged among leaflike bracts. Each flower head holds many pale violet to nearly white ray florets, with a center of yellow disc florets. The fruit it produces is a hairy cypsela. Symphyotrichum greatae is endemic to the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. It grows in damp areas in the canyons of the southern slopes located above the Los Angeles Basin.
