September 2, 2009
White Wood Aster, Eurybia divaricata
The shady understory of the woods on the Reservation are aglow with the white flowers of these wild-growing native asters. Initially, the center of each White Wood Aster flower is yellow. As the flowers age, the centers of many turn red. Pollination by insects triggers this color change. The benefit for the insect is that it can learn to avoid red-centered flowers from which the nectar already has been removed. The benefit for the plants is that insects are directed to flowers that are not yet pollinated.