White Wood Aster

Eurybia divaricata

Pollinator Value

🐝 Specialist Bee Host: Andrena asteris, Andrena canadensis, Andrena placata, Andrena simplex, Pseudopanurgus andrenoides, Pseudopanurgus compositarum, Melissodes druriellus
S17 Eurybia genus-level specialists; S3 confirms A. asteris, A. canadensis, A. placata, A. simplex, M. druriellus

Proximity Score: 2
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ❌ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: SE
CEC Eco-Regions: 8 – Eastern Temperate Forests, 8.1 – Mixed Wood Plains, 8.1.3 – Northern Appalachian Plateau and Uplands
Rarity Notes: Listed as Threatened under SARA Schedule 1 (listed 2005-12-01). COSEWIC assessed as Special Concern. NatureServe national rank N3 in Canada. In Quebec, S2 (Imperiled) with only ~24 herbarium specimens known; Ontario S3 (Vulnerable) with ~95 specimens. Range is concentrated in the Niagara Peninsula (ON) and southern Monteregie (QC), at the northern edge of its primarily Appalachian distribution.
S26 SARA Threatened, Schedule 1; S22 COSEWIC Special Concern, N3 Canada; S48 specimen counts
Rarity Ranks: QC S2 – Imperiled, ON S3 – Vulnerable
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: A mainly Appalachian element of the eastern deciduous forest understory. Inhabits dry to mesic deciduous and mixed woods, edges, and clearings from 0-1200 m elevation. In Quebec, known from scattered populations in the Monteregie and lower Ottawa valley, typically in sugar maple-hemlock forests on well-drained rocky slopes. Forms dense clonal colonies via branching woody rhizomes beneath forest canopy.
S6 Appalachian element, deciduous forest; S48 QC specimen habitat data; S29 dry open woods and edges

Roles: Fortress/Barrier, Insectary Plant, Pollinator Attractor
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: spines? (supporting signal only)] | Insectary Plant: S64 NPPBI 'beneficial insects' flag] | Pollinator Attractor: S73 [HIGH]: S64 Xerces listed (source-classified)]
Notes: Suitable for woodland garden understory and food forest plantings. Thrives in dry shade conditions where many other species struggle. Pairs well with other shade-tolerant woodland herbs. Tolerates juglone, making it compatible with black walnut guild plantings.
S29 food forest, dry shade; S3 tolerates juglone conditions

✅ Edible

Foraging Notes: Young leaves can be cooked and eaten. The edibility rating is low (2 of 5), indicating limited culinary use. Given its SARA Threatened status in Canada, harvesting from wild populations would be inappropriate.
S29 Edible Parts: Leaves; S61 young leaves edible when cooked; S26 SARA Threatened