The California Sandaster  also known as Common Aster  is a perennial herb that is native to California and Baja California. California aster is an extremely abundant  widespread plant that is a very important habitat plant. It grows 1'-3' tall and will spread up to 3'  intertwining with other plants as it grows. The gray-green foliage is woolly and the daisy-like flowers are lavender with yellow centers. This plant will grow in almost any soil  including clay and rocky soils  and seems equally successful on the coast and inland. Cut back to about 4" as needed to tame its wild habit! Gabbs Checkerspot butterfly larvae utilize this species for food and many other butterflies  from skippers to Swallowtails  use the nectar.