Aster alpinus L. – YAYLAPATI
Cloaked in hues of blue or lilac, this perennial herb unveils its beauty from June to August, perched at elevations of 1800 to 3080 meters. Its natural habitats are diverse, ranging from the limestone or granite rock ledges to the loose screes, and it flourishes particularly in the cooler, north-facing corries, adding splashes of color to these highland landscapes. The plant forms mats, with stems measuring 5-25 cm, and lacks scale leaves at the base; the rhizomes are thick. The leaves are covered with appressed whitish-pilose hairs on both surfaces. Basal leaves are spathulate, tapering towards the base, entire on margins, obtuse at the apex, and measure 15-70 x 5-10 mm. Stem leaves are smaller, 1-3 cm long, linear-lanceolate or oblanceolate, and acute at the apex. The inflorescence consists of a single capitulum. The involucre is 1.25-1.75 cm broad, with involucral bracts in 2 series, linear, obtuse or broadly acute, measuring 7-8 x 0.75-1 mm. The ray florets number 30-40, with ligules that are blue or lilac, measuring 10-15 x 1-3 mm. The disc florets are 5-6 mm long
