Sharp-leaved Aster, Oclemena acuminata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aster acuminatus
- Phonetic Spelling
- ock-la-MEH-nah ah-kew-min-NAH-ta
- Description
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Whirled Wood Aster is a native wildflower found in the mountains of NC and from eastern Canada south to Georgia. It spreads by underground runners to form colonies and prefers cool wooded locations.
It is fairly shade-tolerant but blooms best in sun. It prefers well-drained acidic soils but will tolerate wetter ones. Use in an open woodland native garden in full sun to partial shade to add late summer to fall color.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Oclemena
- Species:
- acuminata
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Canada to E. U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- CT, GA, KY, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Bees will visit the flowers and some birds and small mammals will eat the seeds.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Achenes with copious glands
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-1.5 inch composite flowers with 10-17 usually white but sometimes pinkish outer petals surrounding yellow or red disk flowers. It also has straw-colored bracts that are sharply pointed and layered. Blooms July-Oct.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- This plant usually has 10-20 leaves below the flower cluster. The leaves are coarsely toothed, alternately spiraled up the stem in such a way as to appear whorled and crowded near the top of the stem. They are lance-shaped or elliptic and long-pointed at both ends with one main vein running from the base to the tip. Undersides are sticky. They are 2.5 inches long and 3/4 inch wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Somewhat hairy stems are slightly zigzagged.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Small Mammals
