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 treeated as Aster sibiricus L. var. meritus (A. Nels) Raup and Aster richardsonii Spreng. var. meritus (A. Nels.) Raup and 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).
1-4. Eurybia merita. 1. Shoots, Yellowstone N.P. 2. Small plant, Semple & Brouillet 4430, Carbon Co., Montana. 3. Head, Semple & Brouillet 4453, Johnson Co., Wyoming. 4. Range map.
Brouillet, L. 2006. Eurybia (Cassini) Cassini in F. Cuvier. pp. 365-382. In Flora North America Editorial Committee, eds. Flora of North America. Vol. 20. Asteraceae, Part 2. Astereae and Senecioneae. Oxford University Press, New York.
Last updated 30 March 2025 by J.C. Semple
© 2025 J.C. Semple, including all photographs unless otherwise indicated