Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

white-top aster

Synonym(s):

Aster reticulata, Doellingeria reticulata

Genus species:

Oclemena reticulata

Family:

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

3 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

winter dormant

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Wildflower garden. Retain if in the landscape.

Considerations:

Can sucker and spread.

Availability:

Seed

Propagation:

seed, division

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Appreciated by a variety of pollinators including native bees.  The following Hymenoptera families and species were observed visiting flowers of  Oclemena reticulata  at Archbold Biological Station:  [7]



  • Apidae:  Apis mellifera, honeybee


  • Megachilidae:  Dianthidium floridiense, Florida pebble bee


Native Habitats:

Mesic-wet flatwoods, cutthroat seep.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Not readily available, but beautiful.