Aster yunnanensis ?

[Todd Boland]

Another mystery....grown as A. yunnanensis and I do believe it is indeed an Aster, but again I can find little info on this species.  Looks like A. tongolensis to me....what do others think?  Unfortunately I don't have a full plant pic so it may make ID confirmation difficult.

[Kelaidis]

These Chinese Asters are really fabulous. I haven't grown tongolensis: nor have I grow anything under the name yunnanensis. So I am utterly useless for you except to stand in line for a smidgeon of seed if you get some...hint, hint!

[McDonough]

Another mystery....grown as A. yunnanensis and I do believe it is indeed an Aster, but again I can find little info on this species.  Looks like A. tongolensis to me....what do others think?  Unfortunately I don't have a full plant pic so it may make ID confirmation difficult.

Use the following link for a full key and description of Asters in China, including A. yunnanensis.  It should be noted that document is still listed as a "draft".  And true to te taxonomic upset of Asters in general, many Chinese species are relegated to other genera, such as Kalimeris and others.  But even so, there are still 95 Aster species intact.  Aster yunnanensis is listed with 3 subspecies.
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/mss/volume21/Asteraceae-MO-Astereae_coauthoring.htm

And here are some links to images in the Photo Gallery from Harry Jans, Netherlands.  Look around the many fabulous photo galleries, or do a search by genus (for "aster" lots of monastery photos come up ) For those that want a quicker look, use the links I provide.  Todd, some good photos of the real A. himalaicus.

Aster sp.  Yunnan, Zhongdian plateau, 3215m
http://www.jansalpines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=18113

Aster sp.  Yunnan, Dechen, Bai Ma Shan valley, 4400m
http://www.jansalpines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=14971

Aster sp. (very dwarf), Tibet, Bamda (Bangda) Gama La, 4618m
http://www.jansalpines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=8192
http://www.jansalpines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=8189

Aster sp. (very dwarf), Tibet, Demo La, Rawu, 4550m
http://www.jansalpines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=2372

Aster himalaicus, Tibet, Kharta, 3650m
http://www.jansalpines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=16666

Aster himalaicus, Sichuan, Miyalou, Zhegu Shan, 4050m
http://www.jansalpines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=13090

Aster souliei ?  Sichuan, Chuanzhusi, Gonggan Len, 3500m
http://www.jansalpines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=10830

Aster souliei ?  Yunnan, Zhongdian, Napa pass, 3400m
http://www.jansalpines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=13891

Aster cf. souliei  Sichuan, Miyalou, Zhegu Shan, 4050m
http://www.jansalpines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=13072

Aster batangensis ?  Yunnan, Zhongdian, Napa Hai, 3250m
http://www.jansalpines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=13834

Aster asterroides ssp. costei, Sichuan, Jian Zi Kou pass, Yajiang
http://www.jansalpines.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1883

[Todd Boland]

Thanks for the link Mark.  Harry has some stunning pics!  Well I obviously don't have himalaicus...as to yunnanensis...who knows!  Again, I don't like to collect seeds for NARGS that I do not know the proper name of.  I can collect seeds of both next season and offer them here with the understanding that the ID are questionable.

[Lori S.]

If memory serves, it looks a lot like A. tongolensis to me... I'll dig up some pix of mine for comparison.

[Lori S.]

Aster tongolensis 'Wartburg Star'... the colour of "Thrills" chewing gum:

[Lori S.]

Aster yunnanensis:
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=3&taxon_id=200023514

[Todd Boland]

I'm beginning to think it may well be tongolensis. Thanks for the links Lori!