Hoary Tansyaster
Dieteria canescens
The common name 'hoary' refers to the sticky, white, cobwebby hairs on its leaves and stems, which act as a natural sunscreen and windbreak.
- Scientific name
- Dieteria canescens
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Asterales › Asteraceae › Dieteria
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Dry plains, sagebrush steppes, and sandy desert slopes
- Diet
- Photosynthetic (requires sunlight, water, and soil nutrients)
- Range
- Western North America, Great Basin, Rocky Mountains, Chihuahuan Desert
- Size
- 10 to 100 cm tall
- Lifespan
- 1-3 years (biennial or short-lived perennial)
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss from urban development, invasive grasses, and severe overgrazing.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. This wildflower poses no threat to humans. Enjoy its vibrant purple blooms from a respectful distance to avoid trampling the fragile soil crusts of its arid habitat. It is non-toxic to touch.
Dieteria canascens (formerly Machaeranthera canescens ) is an annual plant or short lived perennial plant in the (daisy family), known by the common names hoary tansyaster and hoary-aster .
Photo: Matt Lavin, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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