Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Chaetopappa ericoides (Torrey) Nesum
(Baby Aster)
Family: Asteraceae
Status: Native
Synonyms:
Aster arenosus (Heller) Blake
Aster hirtifolius Blake
Aster leucelene Blake
Aster arenosus Heller
Leucelene ericoides (Torrey) Greene
Chaetopappa ericoides is a small plant with scant linear leaves
and dozens of small white flowerheads with yellow discs. The ray flowers turn pink purple early in the afternoon and start
to turn downward. Chaetopappa ericoides rarely is over
15 cm tall and 20 cm wide, and the plant in season forms a dense ball of flowers. Chaetopappa ericoides can be found in most dry, rocky
areas but is most common on exposed cliffsides and rocky roadcuts.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Chaetopappa ericoides, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Mangas Canyon Road, May 2, 2007
Chaetopappa ericoides, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Ridge Road, April 16, 2009
Chaetopappa ericoides, flowers, photo Russ Kleinman, road 211 to Gila, April 29, 2009
Chaetopappa ericoides, achenes, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Rte. 90 near Tyrone, June 5, 2009
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