This aster is native to the Mojave, Sonoran, and Great Basin deserts, and
surrounding regions, of the southwestern United States. It is found in creosote bush scrub,
saltbush scrub, and Joshua tree woodlands, below 1.0 mi (1.7 km) in elevation.
Leaves: linear or lanceolate, with
spiny tips and edges. Leaves are ⅞-4″ (2.5-10 cm) long, with hairy and glandular surfaces.
Flowers: Plants have as many as 20 composite flowers.
Each peduncle or flower-bearing stem is 3-10″ (8-25 cm).
Phyllaries making up the cuplike green structure under the flower are ⅛-⅞″ (5-25 mm) ×
0.7-2.5 mm. There are 25-60 ray flowers,
each ⅜-1¼″ (1-3.3 cm) long; and 70-110 central disc flowers. Ray flowers are lavendar,
light blue, or white. The overall flowerheads may be up to 2″ (5 cm) around.
Fruits: 1/16-3/16″ (3-6 mm), with pappus bristles
up to ¼″ (9 mm) long. Each entire fruit is over ⅜″ (1 cm) long.