White Heath Aster

Asteraceae

LIFE FORM: Perennial

NATIVITY: Eastern North America

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Numerous erect stems form a hemispherical clump up to 2 feet tall.

FLOWERS:

The whole plant is covered with masses of tiny, white daisy-like flowers in September and October.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Sprouts from perennial woody crown and spreads by seeds.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Tolerant of full sun and compacted soil. Prefers minimally maintained public parks and open space; vacant lots and rubble dump sites; unmowed highway banks and median strips with frequent salt applications.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Salt tolerance along roadways; drought tolerance on compacted soils; erosion control on slopes.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

This species is native to the prairies of the midwest and has only recently arrived in the east; a strikingly beautiful plant when in flower.