Bahaman aster

Aster subulatus Michaux var. elongatus Bosserdet ex A. G. Jones & Lowry, Taxon 19: 250. 1970; A. bahamensis Britton; A. subulatus var. bahamensis (Britton) Bosserdet; Symphyotrichum bahamense (Britton) G. L. Nesom

Plants 30–200 cm. Stems usually simple, often with leafy branches proximally. Heads 15–130, in open, diffuse arrays, on primary branches longer than peduncles. Involucres 6–7 (–8.1) mm. Phyllaries 21–35(–40), subulate to lanceo-late, narrow, green zones narrowly lanceolate. Ray florets 30–54 in (2–)3 series; laminae pink to lavender, (2–)2.5–3.5(–4.2) × 0.3–0.6 mm, longer than pappi, drying in 2–3(–4) (apices shallowly lobed). Disc florets 11–23; corollas 4.3–5.2 mm. Cypselae 1.3–2.5(–2.9); pappi (3.2–)3.6–5 mm. 2n = 20.

Flowering Aug–Jan. Disturbed roadsides, marshy habitats, coastal salt marshes; 0–10 m; Calif., Fla., Ga.; West Indies (Bahamas, Cuba).

Variety elongatum is adventive in California.