[3] It is native to the west coast of North America from British Columbia to Southern California and the Channel Islands.

Symphyotrichum chilense is a rhizomatous, perennial, herbaceous plant growing to heights between 40 and 120 centimeters (1+1⁄4 and 4 feet).

The sparsely hairy leaves are narrowly oval-shaped, pointed, and sometimes finely serrated along the edges.

[3] Pacific aster is native to west coast provinces and states of North America in British Columbia;[3] California, including Southern California and the Channel Islands;[4] Oregon; and, Washington.

[3] It can be found in coastal habitats including salt marshes, ocean dunes and banks, grasslands, and coniferous forests, at elevations of 0–500 meters (0–1,600 feet).