Malacothrix saxatilis is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common names cliff desertdandelion or cliff aster.

[1] It is endemic to California, where it grows in the central and southern coastal hills and mountain ranges.

[2] It is a perennial herb growing 30 to 60 centimeters tall from a rhizome and caudex unit.

The inflorescence is an array of flower heads lined with lance-shaped phyllaries.

The ray florets are 1 or 2 centimeters long and white in color.