Scientific name: Aster tripolium L.
Common name: Sea Aster
Description
Habit: Perennial, 20-100cm high.
Stems: Erect, hairless.
Leaves: Alternate, oblong lanceolate, upper leaves linear oblong; untoothed and fleshy with no lateral veins or with 3 obscure ones.
Flowers: Yellow and purple-white, flower heads 12-20 mm across, in a compact corymb; involucral bracts few, oblong; radiating florets purple or white, usually in 1-2 rows, sometimes absent; inner florets tubular, yellow.
Fruits: An achene, pappus of unbranched hairs.
Habitat: Salt marshes or less commonly on maritime rocks or cliffs.
Distribution: Frequent but in some areas local.
Native status: Native
Of conservation interest: No