By the mid 20th century most of its original longleaf pine / turkey oak sandhill ecosystem and habitat were removed by corporate citrus farming.

They are weakly perennial in habit, bright green, tall and leafy, produce large, "lettuce-like" rosettes, and are covered with viscid (resin-producing) hairs (glandular-stipitate trichomes).

It is represented by a complex of ecotypes and/or varieties associated and adapted to Florida's major ridges and discrete upland systems.

Although locally abundant at some small sites, the species is highly endangered due to a near complete loss of its original habitat.

Kris DeLaney (1951-*) has discovered many other new species of plants in central Florida, including a second golden aster, C. highlandsensis (Highlands County goldenaster).