Symphyotrichum foliaceum

Leafy Aster, Leafy-bracted Aster, Alpine leafybract Aster

Symphyotrichum foliaceum (Lindley) Nesom includes a complex of forms and ploidy levels and is extremely variable and is widespread in western montane coniferous forests and subalpine meadows from British Columbia and Alberta south to New Mexico and Arizona (Brouillet et al. 2006; FNA).  A polyploid series including 2n=16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 80, 96 (2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x, 8x, 10x, 12x) has been reported for the species often only to species.

Four varieties are recognized in FNA:

Plants usually 20–60 cm; heads usually 5–20; outer phyllaries exceeding inner, wider, often foliaceous
   Phyllaries acute; cauline leaves sometimes rounded at base, not clasping ...  Sy. foliaceum var. foliaceum                
   Phyllaries obtuse to rounded; cauline leaves often clasping at base ... Sy. foliaceum var. canbyi         

Plants 5–30 cm; heads 1–12; phyllaries subequal, narrowly lanceolate     
   Plants 5–20 cm; heads usually borne singly; phyllaries often purple-tinged; alpine or sub- alpine habitats ... Sy. foliaceum var. apricum
   Plants 10–30 cm; heads usually 1–12; phyllaries green; montane to subalpine habitats ...  Sy. foliaceum var. parryi