Asteraceae, the daisy, sunflower or composite family.
Description:
Plant:
Erect, usually single-stemmed plant, 1'-3' high, stems sparsely wooly-hairy, with
coarsely toothed heart-shaped or oval leaves, and a terminal cluster of white, daisy-like flowers.
Woodland habitat. Perennial.
Flowers:
Heads with 5-15 white rays, 3/4"-1" across, in flat-topped terminal panicles, sometimes
elongating with age. Centers yellow, turning to pink. Involucral bracts light-bordered and
mostly blunt-tipped.
Leaves:
Alternate, 1"-4", notched at base, lower leaves distinctly heart-shaped, upper ones
more ovate. Coarsely toothed, usually with less than 15 teeth per side.
Stalks (petioles) of upper leaves often winged.
Fruit:
A head of achenes with silky hairs.
Blooming:
Late July - October.
Habitat:
Deciduous woods
Comments:
A native, woodland aster. There are a couple other very similar species of
Eurybia, distinguished mainly by geographic distribution and some very technical
characteristics. Another similar woodland aster Symphyotrichum cordifolia
(Common heart-leaf aster) usually has bluish flowers, and more finely-toothed leaves.
Where to find it:
Common in the upper woods of the park in late summer and fall, when it is one of the
few woodland flowers blooming.
