Species: Symphyotrichum frondosum

Alkali Aster is an annual with solitary, branched stems which are 5-60 cm high and arise from a taproot. The alternate, linear leaves have entire margins and are up to 6 cm long. Lower leaves have petioles, but become sessile higher up. Foliage is glabrous. Flower heads are borne in open, branched inflorescences arising from the leaf axils. Each flower head has 2-3 series of green, overlapping, lance-shaped involucral bracts which are 5-9 mm long. There are yellow disk flowers and numerous pinkish, filiform rays, which are 2-4 mm long. Each achene has a pappus consisting of numerous soft bristles on top that are longer than the disk flowers.