Eurybia merita

Subalpine Aster

Eurybia merita (A. Nelson) G.L. Nesom is native to open, mesic or dry, rocky areas and woods, clearings, burnt areas, creek banks (rocky, sandy, or gravelly), mostly at subalpine level in mountains (lower further north), Douglas fir, lodgepole pine or spruce forests, subalpine meadows (Brouillet 2006 FNA).  The species is distinguished by its unequal phyllaries with purple margins, but is generally similar to E. sibirica with subequal phyllaries.  The species has been included in E. sibirica as a variety historically, although the ranges and habitats of the two are different.  Eurybia merita occurs at higher elevations in the southern part of its range and occurs at lower elevations than E. sibirica in the northern part of the range. The species is tetraploid (2n=36).