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Golden Aster (4)

Golden Asters, the Heterotheca genus, are low-growing, shrubby plants. Leaves and stems are hairy or sticky. Both disk and ray flowers are bright yellow. The genus is complex and confusing, sometimes identified by the density and length of the hairs.

Heterotheca pumila

Dwarf Golden Aster
Heterotheca pumila

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA: Alpine Goldenaster, Alpine False Goldenaster
Photo taken on: September 10, 2005
Location: Ohio Peak Trail, CO
Life Zones: Subalpine to alpine
Habitat: Rocky slopes, scree

Grows 5"-12" in a roundish mound. Despite the appearance of clusters, flowers are on individual stems. Flowers are twice the size of Golden Aster below.

Flora of North America reference.

Hairy Golden Aster
Heterotheca villosa var. minor

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA: Hairy False Goldenaster, Hairy GoldAster
Photo taken on: July 8, 2004
Location: Lower Loop, GV, CO
Life Zones: Plains to montane
Habitat: Dry meadows, gravelly and sandy soil, roadsides

There are 9 varieties of this species, differentiated by height, hairiness, shape of the leaves, number of flower heads  and location, amongst other things, and they hybridize. Generally it grows up to 2 feet in clumps, often sprawling, with narrow grayish leaves and reddish stems. Leaves and stems are covered in short hairs and have a strong, spicy fragrance when crushed. Flowers are less than 1" across. Flower stems may have one to many flower heads. Below are two quite different growth habits. At left at ~6,000ft in New Mexico, at right at ~9,000ft in Colorado.

Flora of North America reference.

Heterotheca villosa
Heterotheca villosa

Hairy Golden Aster
Heterotheca villosa var. nana

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA: Hairy False Goldenaster, Hairy Goldaster
Photo taken on: September 9, 2013
Location: Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones: Foothills and montane
Habitat: Dry areas, gravelly and sandy soil, roadsides

Grows to 16" in clumps with broader, grayish, oblong leaves that grow perpendicular to the woody stems. Leaves and stems are covered in  hairs. Flowers to ¾" across. Flower stems have clusters of flower heads.

Flora of North America reference.

Goldaster
Heterotheca fulcrata

Family: Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA: Golden Aster, Rockyscree False Goldenaster
Photo taken on: August 26, 2007
Location: Green Lake Trail, GV, CO
Life Zones: Montane to subalpine
Habitat: Sunny, dry slopes

Grows up to 2 feet tall in clumps with flowers over 1" across. Leaf-like bracts extend beyond the flowers.

Flora of North America reference.

Yellow Single Flowers