Eurybia divaricata

This plant is a perennial herb native to eastern North America. It inhabits dry deciduous woodlands and rocky slopes. Branching stems reach about three feet and carry flat-topped clusters of small flower heads in late summer and fall. Narrow white ray florets surround yellow disks that become reddish to purplish as the heads age. The lower leaves are heart-shaped and sharply toothed, while the upper leaves are narrower. The flowers attract bees and butterflies, and its seeds feed birds and small mammals. It also supports pearl crescent butterfly caterpillars. Photographed in Virginia.