Oregon Whitetop Aster (Sericocarpus oregonensis) is a perennial wildflower native to the Pacific Northwest. Although more abundant in parts of Oregon and California, it is listed as threatened in Washington with only a few remnant populations in the Columbia River Gorge. It is found in open forests, forest margins, meadows, prairies, and other relatively dry to moderately moist habitats. The plant forms upright, branching stems with narrow leaves and produces numerous small flower heads with distinctive purplish-red anthers and white rays surrounding yellow centers.

The flowers appear in late summer and early fall, providing important late-season pollinator resources during a period when many spring and early-summer wildflowers have finished blooming. An early succesional species with bountiful seed production in ideal settings, it is a valuable selection for early colonization of disturbed areas, roadsides, and post-fire landscapes.

In cultivation, Oregon Whitetop Aster is suited to full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils. It is appropriate for native meadow, prairie, woodland-edge, and restoration plantings within its natural range. Propagation is primarily by seed; brief stratification is beneficial and early fall sowing is ideal for germination.