Whitetop aster
The white flowers attract native sweat bees.
By LYNN ARTZ, SANDY TEDDER and DAVID RODDENBERRY
Whitetop aster (Sericocarpus tortifolius) is a perennial wildflower of the southeastern U.S., including Florida. These summer bloomers have 2-5 narrow, creamy white petals. The white flower heads attract native sweat bees and make a nice addition to a mixed wildflower garden. Though rarely cultivated commercially, whitetop aster is easy to grow from seed. Other common names are Dixie whitetop aster and twisted-leaf white-topped aster. This native wildflower thrives in frequently burned, longleaf pine-wiregrass communities, being most numerous within longleaf pine stands that are 130-180 years old. For years, whitetop asters were placed in the genus Aster. However, DNA has shown that they are more closely related to goldenrods. Whitetop asters are blooming now in the wildflower meadow at Sopchoppy Depot Park.