Sericocarpus oregonensis

Oregon White-topped Aster

Sericocarpus oregonensis Nutt. is native to the Pacific states in the U.S.  The species is distinguished by its entire cauline leaves, (5–)6–9 mm high involucres, and heads with 2-5 rays (Semple and Leonard 2006 FNA).  The stems range from 24-102 cm tall, which is greater than other species in the genus.  Both subspecies are diploid (2n=18).

Two subspecies are recognized based on pubescence differences (Semple and Leonard 2006 FNA; Semple 2013):

  • subsp. californicus (stems and leaves moderately to densely hairy; the Sierra Nevada)
  • subsp. oregonensis (stems and leaves sparsely hairy; coast ranges from northern California to Washington)

Semple, J.C. 2012. Sericocarpus p. 420. In B. G. Baldwin et al. (eds.), The Jepson Manual, Vascular Plants of California. 2nd Ed. University of California Press., Berkeley.

Last updated 2 February 2014 by J.C. Semple

© 2014 J.C. Semple, including all photographs unless otherwise indicated