taxonomic note- recently reclassified as per Jepson Interchange other names- western aster, aster occidentalis var. occidentalis habitat- montane to subalpine meadows range- Western states, N to BC, East to Colorado, S to Baja California description- erect stem to 2.5 ft, alternate, smooth lanceolate to narrowly elliptic leaves with entire margins, flower heads in an open cyme, phyllaries (bracts) in 2 to 6 series, pale-margined at the base and green at the tip, many violet ray flowers, yellow disc flowers, etymology- Aster, from the Greek, meaning star.