Aster alpinus L.

Spice In the field

Family: COMPOSITAE (ASTERACEAE)

Genus: Aster

Catalan common name: Àster alpí.

Spanish common name: Manzanilla de pastor.

Province distribution: Barcelona. Girona. Lleida.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Boreo- alpine (Arctic-alpine)

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Alpine grasslands.

Characteristics: Rocky alpine grasslands, calcareous in nature, and more rarely rock outcrops and black pine forests (Pinus unicinata A caespitose herb with spatulate trinervate basal leaves. The capitula measure 2-4.5 cm in diameter, and are solitary. The ligulated flowers are violet and the tubulous flowers yellow.