Mecca woody-aster

Aster cognatus H. M. Hall, Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 6: 173. 1915; Machaeranthera cognata (H. M. Hall) Cronquist & D. D. Keck

Shrubs, 50–150 cm. Stems branched to near apices, glabrescent (younger stems and branches stipitate-glandular). Leaf blades spatulate to ovate, 3–20 mm wide, bases attenuate, subclasping, margins flat, coarsely spinulose-toothed, faces glabrous, sparsely stipitate-glandular. Peduncles 5–11(–20) cm. Involucres 15–20 × 20–40 mm. Phyllaries loosely appressed, outermost (at least margins) stipitate-glandular, innermost shorter than mid. Ray florets (12–)20–29(–32); corollas light blue to violet. Style-branch appendages shorter than stigmatic lines. 2n = 12.

Flowering Jan–Apr(–Jun). Slopes and bottoms of deep ravines in clay, rocky sand, and gravel; of conservation concern; 20–300 m; Calif.

Xylorhiza cognata is known only from Riverside County.