Golden Aster

Chrysopsis mariana

Blooming in late summer, this showy, golden yellow aster grows in barren areas. These were photographed growing along a steep roadside embankment on Brush Mountain in Southwest Virginia.

The leaves are alternate, simple, entire to ever-so-lightly toothed, hairy, with a strong mid-rib. The leaves are larger at the bottom of the plant, growing smaller toward the top of the flowering stems. The stems are very hairy (sometimes called “silky”). This perennial plant grows 1-2 feet in height and blooms from August until October.