Summary ⁷

Dieteria canescens is a short-lived annual plant in the aster family. Its common names include hoary aster, hoary tansyaster, and purple tansyaster. The flower is widespread and common and grows in dry, sandy soil typical for the southwestern United States.

Botanical Information ⁸

Dieteria canescens (syn. Machaeranthera canescens) is a flowering plant that is part of the sunflower family. Common names of the flower include hoary aster, purple tansyaster, and sand daisy. The plant grows from 0.5 to 2 feet tall. It blooms from late summer through early fall. The flowers are lavender and as they age the petals curl back. The appearance and texture of the leaves can vary from linear to lance shaped and are dark green.

Ecological Information ⁷

The hoary aster is widespread and common and grows in dry, sandy soil, often in areas inhabited by cottonwoods and in the western US. It is able to compete with invasive species, and is a nectar source for sweat bees, bee flies, and honey bees.

Ethnobotanical Information ⁷

Many indigenous tribes in New Mexico have used hoary aster to treat stomach issues. Specifically, the Zuni made an infusion of the whole plant and rubbed it on the abdomen as an emetic to induce vomiting. The Navajo people dried and crushed the plant to be inhaled through the nose to soothe complications of the sinuses or throat. (Note: Ethnographic reports often lack important contextual information and relevant traditional ecological knowledge.)

References ⁹

Finley, Willa F., and Lashara J. Nieland. "Land of Enchantment Wildflowers: A Guide to the Plants of New Mexico." Native Plants Journal 15.3 (2014): 255-255.

Whitson, Tom D., et al. "Weeds of the West." Weeds of the West. (1991).

Cartron, Jean-Luc E., David C. Lightfoot, and Jane E. Mygatt. A field guide to the plants and animals of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque. UNM Press, 2008.

Native American Ethnobotany Database. (2021-07-8). Machaeranthera canescens. http://naeb.brit.org/uses/species/2345/

About the Author ¹⁰

Student author(s)*: Ashley from Atrisco Heritage High School

*The entries in this field guide have been edited by Yerba Mansa Project staff to ensure that they contain quality, fact-checked content and standardized formatting. https://yerbamansaproject.org/

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/127605180@N04/25474579183/
2. (c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/7976490880/
3. (c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/jroldenettel/15487301025/
4. (c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/jroldenettel/15300450507/
5. (c) Jerry Oldenettel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/jroldenettel/15300595030/
6. (c) Steve Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/wildflowersearch/15288148669/
7. Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
8. Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dieteria_canescens
9. Adapted by Hannah from a work by (c) caseynm, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
10. Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) caseynm, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNat taxon page
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