Western Aster
Aster occidentalis (Nutt.)  Torr. & Gray

Western aster is an erect perennial wildflower arising 20-100 cm from a creeping rhizome. The herbage is generally smooth or without hairs. The lower stem leaves are oblanceolate in shape and petiolate, and they tend to persist into flowering. They may have entire or serrate margins. The middle and upper leaves are narrower with entire margins and measure from 3-15 cm long and 3-15 mm wide. The leaves tend to be 7-20 times longer than they are wide.  The western aster is found in western North America between 3900 and 10500 feet   It is equally likely to occur in wetlands or non wetlands. 

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