| Ionactis alpina | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Ionactis |
| Species: | I. alpina |
| Binomial name | |
| Ionactis alpina (Nutt.) Greene |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Aster scopulorum |
|
Ionactis alpina (formerly Aster scopulorum) is a species of aster known by the common name lava aster. It is native to western North America from California to Montana, where it grows in dry areas.
Ionactis alpina is a perennial herb growing from a caudex and fibrous root system. It produces a short, mostly erect, hairy stem to 12 centimeters in maximum height. Most of the small leaves are on the lower part of the stem. They are up to about a centimeter long, oval to lance-shaped and pointed, somewhat stiff and coated in hairs.
The inflorescence bears solitary flower heads with purple-green phyllaries, thin purple ray florets and long yellow disc florets. The fruit is a hairy achene.