Sericocarpus asteroides (Linnaeus) Britton, Sterns, & Poggenburg. Common name: Toothed White-topped Aster. Phenology: (Apr-) May-Jul. Habitat: Dry woodlands, thin soils around rock outcrops, longleaf pine sandhills, other dry pinelands, woodland margins. Distribution: S. ME and s. VT west to c. OH, south to e. SC, c. GA, w. Panhandle FL, s. AL, and s. MS.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = K4, POWO, Nesom (2021c); < Aster paternus Cronquist — C, G, RAB, SE1; < Sericocarpus asteroides (L.) Britton, Sterns, & Poggenb. — F, FNA20, NE, NY, Pa, S, Tat, Va, Leonard, Cook, & Semple (2005), Nesom (1993a). Basionym: Conyza asteroides L. 1753
Links to other floras: < Sericocarpus asteroides - FNA20
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Heliophily ⓘ: 8
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© Keith Bradley | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Will Stuart | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect perennial of dry woodlands, thin soils around rock outcrops, roadsides, sandhills and dry pinelands.
Stems: Stems 1-several from a crown, slightly angled, branched in upper half, hairy.
Leaves: Leaves basal and alternate on stem; lower leaves tapered to a winged petiole, oblong-oval to spoon-shaped, to about 4 in. long, toothed near tip and hairy; stem leaves fewer, sessile, smaller.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in dense clusters at ends of stems and branches; heads about 1/2 in. wide, consisting of 3-7 white ray florets encircling a center disk of 9-20 tiny, white to cream (or pink-tinged), tubular florets. Several series of whitish bracts with spreading, green tips surround the narrowly bell-shaped base of each head.
Fruits:
Comments:
Height: 8-24 in.
plant sale text: Toothed white-topped aster is found in dry open woods, fields, and woodland edges throughout North Carolina. Beginning in early summer it produces loose clusters of white flowers that attract bees, wasps, and butterflies. Use toothed white-topped aster to brighten a dry section of your woodland garden.
bloom table text:
description: Erect perennial of dry woodlands, thin soils around rock outcrops, roadsides, sandhills and dry pinelands.
stems: Stems 1-several from a crown, slightly angled, branched in upper half, hairy.
leaves: Leaves basal and alternate on stem; lower leaves tapered to a winged petiole, oblong-oval to spoon-shaped, to about 4 in. long, toothed near tip and hairy; stem leaves fewer, sessile, smaller.
inflorescence:
flowers: Composite flowers (heads) in dense clusters at ends of stems and branches; heads about 1/2 in. wide, consisting of 3-7 white ray florets encircling a center disk of 9-20 tiny, white to cream (or pink-tinged), tubular florets. Several series of whitish bracts with spreading, green tips surround the narrowly bell-shaped base of each head.
fruits:
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern United States
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