ASTER ALPINUS L. – Alpine Aster

Syn.: Diplactis alpina (L.) Semple
Family: Asteraceae Martinov

Distribution: Circumpolar distribution, mountain areas of Europe, Asia and Northern America.
Habitat: It grows on rocks and stony slopes, from foothills to subalpine altitudinal zone.
Description: A perennial herb with an erect and unbranched stem, 10–20 cm high. The leaves are entire, spathulate to lanceolate, sessile, hairy, capitulla up to 4 cm in diameter, disc flowers yellow, tubular, ray ones strap-shaped, violet-blue. Flowers from July to August. The fruit is an achene.
Threat and Protection: The Alpine Aster is a protected plant in some countries (A, CH, CZ, D, I).
Note: The Alpine Aster is a very popular plant, often grown in rock gardens or used for edging in the perennial border.


These images were taken in Czechia, the Hrubý Jeseník, Velká kotlina and Austria, the Raxalpe (date: 17. 7. and 18. 8. 2004).