Oclemena acuminata aka Mountain Aster

Oclemena acuminata is a perennial wildflower in the aster family. Its common names include whorled wood aster and mountain aster. The name Aster acuminatus is a synonym. This plant comes from eastern Canada and the eastern United States. Its range extends south to Georgia, including North Carolina’s mountains. It grows in temperate regions and favors cool woodland sites. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

The plant grows upright and spreads through underground runners. These runners allow it to form colonies. Its growth rate is moderate. Green stems bend slightly in a zigzag and bear some hairs. The simple green leaves grow alternately along each stem. Their spiral layout makes them look like whorls near the top. Each stem usually holds 10–20 leaves below its flower cluster. The leaves have coarse teeth and long, pointed ends. Their shape ranges from lance-shaped to elliptic. A main vein runs from base to tip. The leaf undersides feel sticky.

Flowers appear from July to October, spanning summer and fall. Each flower head combines outer rays with small central disk flowers. Most heads have 10–17 rays, which are white or tinged pink. The central disk flowers can be yellow or red. The heads form a corymb, a cluster at the stem tip. Pale, straw-colored bracts overlap around each head. These bracts end in sharp points. The fruits are achenes with many glands. Birds and small mammals eat the seeds, while bees visit the flowers.

In gardens, this aster suits open woodland and native plantings. It can also grow on slopes and banks. It tolerates shade, but more sun brings better flowering. Full sun and partial shade both suit it. Choose acidic soil with good drainage. The plant also tolerates soil that becomes wet at times. Its preference for cool woods helps guide site choice. The listed hardiness range covers USDA zones 4 through 7. The source describes its maintenance needs as low.

Its long bloom season brings color late in the growing year. The flowers also offer interest in gardens planned for wildlife. Allow space for its runners when placing it among other plants. The supplied sources give no mature height or spread. They report no specific pests, diseases, edible uses, or toxicity findings. Seed use by wildlife does not establish that people can eat it.