Flat Top Aster (Döellingera umbellatus)
Flat-Top Aster (Döellingera umbellata)
Taxonomy:
Family: Asteraceae (Aster family)
Genus: Döellingera
Species: umbellata
Common names: Flat-Top Aster, Parasol Aster.
Few plants catch you off guard the way Flat-Top Aster does—especially when you find it blooming in the least expected places, like the edges of damp country roads or low-lying ditches. This native perennial often surprises passersby with its clusters of clean white starry blooms that seem to hover above dark green stems, bringing light and grace to otherwise forgotten spaces.
Once grouped with the large Aster genus, Döellingera umbellata was presently reclassified as botanists refined native North American aster taxonomy. Comparatively, the Döellingera genus now represents a distinct lineage of asters characterized by their umbrella-shaped flower clusters, smooth leaves, and preference for moist soils.
Döellingera umbellata is a true delight of a plant—tough yet elegant, thriving where few others do. It’s a perfect choice for a shady rain garden or a naturalized wet meadow, attracting butterflies, native bees, and a variety of pollinators late in the season.
Even a single clump can transform a soggy roadside corner into a miniature pollinator oasis. Once you know to look for it, you’ll start seeing Döellingera blooms everywhere—and wondering how such a quiet plant manages to bring such bright, effortless beauty to the wild edges of the landscape.
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