Golden Aster is also known as Camphor Weed.

Plant is an upright (or reclining) polymorphic; much-branched perennial. While the plant is known to reach heights of four feet or more it usually appears in this area at heights of no more than two feet. Preferred habitat is roadsides, woodland edges, gardens, meadows and old fields. Distribution is throughout the Escambia region.

Leaves are scaly; rough and brittle; viscose (hispid). Basal leaf blades are oval to egg-shaped; one to two inches long; stalked; winged stems; reduced to short bracts on flower stalks. Camphor-like order when crushed.

Flowers are in a cluster at the end of the flowering stem; panicle-like; about one inch in diameter; ray flowers yellow; disc flowers yellow. Flowering date is spring extending throughout the summer.

An unrelated plant, Marsh Fleabane (Pluchea rosea), which bears light purple flowers, also has a strong camphor odor when crushed.