Cascade Aster
Doellingeria ledophylla
- Native to:
- United States
iNaturalist: © colergoodwin635 (iNaturalist #156023889)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Doellingeria
- Species:
- Doellingeria ledophylla
- USDA Symbol:
- EULE14
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Schinia villosa, Charidryas hoffmanni
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black-tailed bumble bee (Bombus melanopygus), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis) Butterflies:Anna Blue (Plebejus anna)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Surface sow; seeds require light for germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Sow seed into trays filled with stabilized medium plugs (Q-plugs). Seal trays inside plastic bags and refrigerate at 1 to 3 °C for 30 days. Check trays weekly and keep moist. If mold is evident, treat with 1% hydrogen peroxide.
Establishment: Habitat: Meadows and open woods, mid-elevations up to timberline in the mountains. General Distribution: Cascade Mountains from northern Washington to southern Oregon.
Source: npn.rngr.net