Unique Characteristics of the Mojave Aster Plant

Mojave Aster Basics

• The Mojave aster plant stands approximately two and a half feet in height. It produces pale purple flowers that are roughly 2 inches in diameter with yellow centers. This low-growing shrub has a naturally rounded form with long stems and spiky, pointed leaves. The foliage and stem color is a pale silver-green with a slightly hairy texture. This shrub flowers prolifically, with approximately 20 blossoms per plant. This water-efficient shrub requires dry, well-drained soil and full sun. Rocky, sandy and gravel soils are recommended. The Mojave aster does not grow well in clay soils.

Desert Flower

• As a desert perennial the Mojave aster is found growing naturally in dry climates in the Western United States. This plant is found in southeastern California, western Arizona, southwestern Utah and southern Nevada. It gets its common name from being commonly found in the Mojave Desert, and is sometimes called “desert aster.” However, the Mojave aster is also found growing in canyons and rocky hillsides in the Great Basin and Sonoran Desert. This flowering shrub thrives at elevations of 2,000 to 5,500 feet. It is also found growing in flat areas in sandy, rocky soils.

Unique Adaptations

• The Mojave aster plant has adapted to survive the heat, drought and harsh climate of the desert. Also called an ephemeral plant, the Mojave aster is dormant for the hottest and driest parts of the year, but springs to life and makes the most of water when it is available. It grows very long roots to seek moisture deeper in the soil. The Mojave aster plant germinates following the rainy winter, and rapidly produces flower stalks and flowers in a matter of a few days. The flowers drop their seeds on the floor of the desert before the plant dies back. If the summer rains are enough to sustain the plant, the Mojave aster flowers again during the months of September and October.

Seeds

• Just like the plant itself, the seeds of the Mojave aster are also extremely hardy. Once they have fallen to the desert floor, these seeds need to be strong enough to survive heat and drought in order to germinate when it starts raining again. While the cycle of germination typically happens each year in the spring, if there is not enough water to support the plant, these seeds are capable to surviving for two to three years before they germinate.