Cliff Aster blooms for most of the year, and is found in many plant communities, but especially in coastal sage scrub and chaparral. It grows in open areas, and often in disturbed areas from sea level all the way up to 6000 feet. A perennial growing to a height of up to five feet, Cliff Aster does not require much water.
The scientific name is Malacothrix saxatilis, from the Greek word “malakos” meaning soft and referring to the young plant, and “saxatilis” meaning “growing among rocks”.
The top picture was photographed on the cliffs below More Mesa. The pictures below were photographed along the central coast near Naples.
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