White Wood Aster

Growth habit

Herbaceous

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region, E. North America

Cultivation

A 1-2' tall plant with white flowers and basal leaves that persist in winter. Can take dry shade.
Light: part sun to shade Moisture and Soil: moist to dry soil

Propagation

Seed Treatment and Storage: store seed cool & dry; Cold/moist stratify OR sow at 70 deg.

Wildlife value

Leaf-mining larvae, including those of Sumitrosis inaequalis (a beetle) and Ophiomyia texana (a fly) eat white wood aster foliage. Two species of dichomeris moth (Dichomeris ochripalpella and Dichomeris bilobella) also use it as a larval host plant. The larvae of a midge, Asteromyia laeviana, form papery blister galls on leaves. Wildlife use asters to a limited degree. Ruffed grouse, wild turkey, and tree sparrows eat the leaves and/or seeds, as do mammals like chipmunks, white-footed mice and white-tailed deer.

Poisonous

no

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden, Cornell Class of 1938 Native Maple Slope, Coy Glen, Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve, Fischer Old-growth Forest, Slaterville 600, McLean Bogs, Eames Bog, Purvis Road Wetlands Natural Area, Ringwood Ponds, Tarr-Young Preserve

Source of plant

Bluebird Nursery Inc.

Description

Rhizomatous perennial herb to 60cm, stems flexuous above, dark purple. Lower leaves to 6cm wide, cordate to cordate-ovate, upper leaves cordate-ovate to triangular. Capitula radiate, clustered in a cyme; phyllaries to 8mm, 3-5, elliptic-oblong, obtuse; ray florets to 10, white; disc florets yellow.

USDA Hardiness Zone

4

Status

L4|S5|G5