They say to not look a gift horse in the mouth, but I would recommend just that. I don't know about in CA, but here in AL, this is not a plant I'd let into a garden bed. Definitely hardy where you are. The babies on those long stems take root, causing the plant to expand its' reach constantly. The arching stems connected between mama and baby are excellent at tripping people trying to walk through. Roots go down about a foot, not an easy chore to dig these up. I would confine it to a hanging basket, if keeping it at all.

Thanks Carol and Salt!! Salt, sorry to doubt your wisdom....I was posting the second photo when you posted the second link. And yes, I am convinced! I was sure I could identify the plant when it bloomed, but after waiting all summer, I lost patience. Now that I know what it is, it will be gone ASAP. I have 3 schnauzers that bring enough grime and grit into the house. I don't need to add beggars tick's seed to the mix! I have been a long-time user of the kitchen forum here on GW, and now am happy I have waded in to NTP forum. Thanks again for your help!

giboosi_alttara, My first thought, with the diagonal cuts, was rabbits ... but the height threw me. These lily plants are exceptionally large and the flower stems exceptionally tall -- literally to my shoulder in some cases, and certainly at least 3.5-4 feet in height. Is it possible that rabbits -- which we've never seen, actually, despite having a meadow adjoining the property (though we also have plenty of hawks and coyotes so that might explain the noticeable absence of rabbits?) -- could pull down a stem and snip it off? (Otherwise, they'd need to do more than stand on their hind legs .. they'd need a stepladder!) And I wonder the same thing about rabbits -- why bite these off and then just leave them on the ground? Not a blossom or bud is missing/munched...? I had concluded deer in part because of the height at which these are being "nipped" off ... but deer would eat the flowers, wouldn't they? One morning there were no less than five such 4-6" stems on the ground around one lily clump, looking for all the world as if some crazed gardener and gone through and "deadheaded" them, then strewn them around the base of the plant! Each with buds, faded blooms, and in several cases, partially opened NEW blooms. Why would anything -- including rabbits -- be biting these off if they weren't planning to eat them? (And if they didn't like the taste, wouldn't you think they'd figure that out after the first few?...this has happened for days on end. I have an continuous supply of truncated lily stems in a vase by the sink! (Needless to say, I'd RATHER have the stems still on the plants! ;) I would try more of my homemade habanero pepper spray (I put peppers and some water into a blender, then strain through cheesecloth or coffee filter and fill a hand spray bottle -- worked like a charm early in the season on foliage to keep deer away) but I'm worried about discouraging beneficial butterflies and bees now that things are in bloom...?

It resembles an Erigeron. MaryAnn I am on a PC. I click on the Photo button as seen below (when you post) and it brings up the files where I have my pics stored on my computer. I just scroll through until I come to the pic I want. I hope that was helpful to you.