Taxon Report

Corethrogyne filaginifolia (H. & A.) Nutt. var. incana (Nutt.) Canby

San Diego sand aster

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Taxon Summary

Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. incana, commonly known as San Diego sand aster, is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Chaparral, Coastal bluff scrub, and Coastal scrub, growing at elevations from 3 to 115 meters. Corethrogyne filaginifolia var. incana is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Corethrogyne filaginifolia (H. & A.) Nutt. var. incana (Nutt.) Canby
Common Name:
 San Diego sand aster
Family: Asteraceae
Element Code: PDAST2M025
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Jun-Sep Jun-Sep
Elevation: 3-115 (10-375)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Coastal bluff scrub, Coastal scrub
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 1B.1
Global Rank: G4T1Q
State Rank:
 S1
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 23
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 1
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 3
   Unknown (U) 19

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
San Diego (SDG)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Del Mar (3211782), Imperial Beach (3211751), Jamul Mountains (3211668), La Jolla (3211772), National City (3211761), Point Loma (3211762), Potrero (3211655), Poway (3211781), Tecate (3211656)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 2
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
14 61 %
Development 14 60%
Road/trail construction/maint. 1 4%

Notes
Known in CA from fewer than 10 occurrences. Threatened by development and non-native plants. A synonym of Lessingia filaginifolia var. filaginifolia in The Jepson Manual; taxonomic study needed.
Threats:
Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 25 October 2025].