Toothed Whitetop Aster Sericocarpus asteroides
Previously known as:
- Aster paternus
- Description
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Toothed whitetop aster is an herbaceous perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae) that is native to the eastern and southeastern United States. It is commonly found the Coastal Plain and occasionally in the Piedmont of North Carolina. In its native environment, it is found in a variety of dry woodland sites and grasslands. The genus name, Sericocarpus, is derived from the Greek words “sericos’ meaning silky, and ‘carpos’ means fruit.
This plant spreads by short rhizomes forming clumps and grows 8-24 inches tall It prefers partial sun to shade, and dry to average moisture.
In summer dense clusters of white star-shaped flowers are formed that attract bees and butterflies. The toothed whitetop aster fruit has distinguishable silky hairs.
It can be grown in dry woodland gardens to brighten the area and in native/pollinator gardens in the border or in groups.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sericocarpus
- Species:
- asteroides
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern USA
- Distribution:
- AL , CT , DE , FL , GA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees and butterflies
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The tip of the fruit has dense silky hairs which are pale red to red-brown or purple.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Description:
- The 1/2-inch wide flowers form dense clusters at the end of the stems. Each flowering stem can have four or more flower heads. The 4-8 white ray florets surround a disk of 11-20 white or pink-inged tubular florets.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Obovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The basal leaves are oblanceolate to obovate or spatulate, 1-6 inches long with toothed margins. The stem leaves are narrow and not toothed. Leaves are sessile stemless) and hairy.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green stems are hairy
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
