What plant is that?

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Photo Credit: © Francis R. Underwood 2012

This month’s mystery plant is a small low-growing perennial with white wooly stems, alternate sickle-shaped, entire leaves and showy golden yellow flowers. It begins to bloom in early July and continues through September. It is listed as a species of concern on the Rhode Island rare plant list.  Its range is restricted to five states along the northeast coast of the United States from Massachusetts south to New Jersey.  Due to its limited distribution it is listed by NatureServe as a globally vulnerable species.  Look for this showy plant in sunny exposures in dry, sandy soil.

It’s. . .

Botanical Name:		Pityopsis falcata
Common Name:		Sickle-leaved Golden Aster
Family:		Asteraceae (Aster Family)
Habitat:		Dry, open, sunny areas of sandy soil