Corethrogyne filaginifolia (sand aster)

This is one of the less well known species in our area, and I think it deserves more attention from gardeners. It is extremely drought tolerant with pretty (though small) flowers and attractive gray foliage. This is a flower that is best appreciated up close.

Since this plant is in the Asteraceae (Aster family) it has a compound flower cluster. The lavender things that we would call petals are actually individual flowers that are called ray flowers or ligules. The yellow center is a cluster of more individual flowers that are known as disk flowers. As you can see from the photo, my sand aster is blooming right now and also going to seed. In my garden this plant is very close to the Epilobium so that their stems and flowers mix together. The lavender, yellow and red colors complement each other nicely, and their gray/green leaves blend perfectly. In the photo below you may not be able to see the sand aster flowers because they are so small.

In winter the plant goes semi-dormant. It doesn't lose all its leaves but it pretty much shits down. At that time it can be cut back if needed. As with Epilobium, the seeds are prized by goldfinches and other small birds. If you cut back the plant while the seeds are still attached, you might want to scatter the seeds on the ground so the birds can get them.

Taxonomy - Don't read this paragraph if you have an aversion to scientific stuff. The Corethrogyne genus and the filaginifolia species in particular have been the subject of debate over the past 20 or so years. First the genus was called Corethrogyne. Then for a time it was changed to Lessingia. More recently it has been changed back to Corethrogyne. Going along with that has been discussion of how many varieties of filaginifolia there are. The Jepson Manual, which is the generally accepted authority for California plants, has this to say:

Some local populations and regional population systems of corethrogynes present distinct general appearances and the plants have been partitioned into 3 to 7 or more species with various numbers of infraspecific taxa (33 basionyms have been linked to the name Corethrogyne). Lane (1992) referred the plants to a single sp. with 2 varieties within Lessingia, and Saroyan et al. (2000) treated them as a single sp. with two varieties within Corethrogyne. Here, the consolidation is taken one step further and a single, polymorphic sp. with no infraspecific taxa is recognized.

In other words, some people split this species up into several species, subspecies or varieties based on differences in appearance between plants in different parts of the state. The Calflora web site which usually follows Jepson recognizes 4 varieties. The one described as Lessingia filiaginifolia var. linifolia was at one time considered a rare taxon. However, the boss (Jepson) says they are really all the same species with no distinct subspecies or varieties. This makes it easy because you can call it whatever you like and someone will probably agree with you. In any case, it is a nice garden plant with good habitat value.