Cordiofontis laka - Laka Aster

Laka Aster is a perennial herb, 5-20 cm high, named after the Laka/Ilaka glacier region where it is found. Stem, with a woody base, is slightly divided into hairless branches ending in a single flower-head. Flower-heads are large, with many violet-purple ray florets. Phyllaries are ovate, almost leaflike, overlapping, arrange in 3 series. Ray florets are borne in a single series, elongated, hairless. Leaves are long-stalked, ovate, base heart-shaped or lanceshaped, sawtoothed, mostly hairless above, netveined below, almost hairless, otherwise the nerves are rough, hairy. Laka Aster is found around the Laka region, in Dharmsala, and in the Jammu region, at altitudes of 3,300 m. Flowering: October.