California Aster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia)

California Aster

(Corethrogyne filaginifolia)

California Aster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia)

Daniel S.

CC BY 4.0

Image By: Daniel S.

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Corethrogyne filaginifolia, commonly known as California Aster or Common Sandaster, is a semi-deciduous perennial herb or subshrub native to coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and open woodlands in California, as well as regions in Northwestern Mexico and Oregon. It typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) with a similar spread, featuring a mounding form that makes it suitable for ground cover. The leaves are densely woolly, several centimeters long, and exhibit toothed or lobed margins near the base of the stem, becoming smaller and less lobed higher up. The plant is known for its inflorescences, which consist of single flower heads or clusters of heads at the tips of stem branches, each lined with narrow, pointed, purple-tipped phyllaries that curl back as the flower matures. The showy flowers have many purple, lavender, pink, or white ray florets surrounding a center of up to 120 tubular yellow disc florets, blooming from late summer to fall.

California Aster is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making it a beneficial addition to native plant gardens, xeriscapes, and wildlife habitats. It is commonly used in restoration projects, as ground cover, and in borders. This plant thrives with minimal water once established, preferring well-drained soils and tolerating a range of soil types from sandy to loamy. It is adaptable to full sun or part shade conditions. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions and may require occasional pruning to maintain a compact form.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type:
Height: 0.5-3 feet
Width: 0.5-1.5 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Pink, Purple
Flowering Season: Summer, Fall, Winter
Leaf Retention:

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low
Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and open woodlands

Other Names

Common Names: Sand-Aster , California Sandaster , California Aster , Whiteleaf Sandaster

Scientific Names: Corethrogyne filaginifolia , Lessingia filaginifolia , Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. linifolia , Corethrogyne leucophylla , Lessingia filaginifolia var. filaginifolia , Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. filaginifolia , Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. californica , Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. virgata , Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. incana , Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. brevicula

GBIF Accepted Name: Corethrogyne filaginifolia (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt.