Townsend Daisies (7)
Townsend Daisies are very similar to both Daisies and Asters but are easily recognized by their low, cushion-like growth pattern and their large flowers compared to the size of the plant. They also have phyllaries which are of different lengths, the outer shorter than the inner. Some are called Easter Daisies because they bloom around that time of year. See also Tall Townsend Daisy.
Annual Townsend Daisy
Townsendia annua
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on:
April 21, 2014
Location:
Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones:
Plains and foothills
Habitat:
Hot, dry, sandy soils
Grows only 1-4" high, sometimes sprawling, sometimes in masses. Flower heads are about ½" across compared to the other Townsendia. Leaves are hairy.
Flora of North America reference.
Stemless Townsend Daisy
Townsendia exscapa
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on:
April 29, 2010
Location:
White Rock, NM
Life Zones:
Plains and foothills
Habitat:
Dry, gravelly slopes
Low growing clump with slightly hairy narrow grayish leaves. Flowers are white to pinkish and 1" across. Distinguished from T. hookeri by a tuft of hairs on the phyllaries.
Flora of North America reference.
Fendler's Townsend Daisy
Townsendia fendleri
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on:
July 30, 2014
Location:
Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones:
Plains and foothills
Habitat:
Sandy, rocky areas, washes
Grows to 6" with erect or leaning stems. Leaves are narrow compared to T. annua which has spatulate to oblong leaves. Flowers are at the tip of the stem, often with leaves extending past the flowers. Phyllaries are in 4-5 series compared to T. annua which has 3. Flower size is similar with a pink to lavender tint underneath.
Flora of North America reference.
Showy Easter Daisy
Townsendia grandiflora
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Showy Townsendia, Large Flower Townsend Daisy
Photo taken on:
June 28, 2024
Location:
CR 313, Rio Arriba Cty, NM
Life Zones:
Plains to foothills
Habitat:
Dry meadows, slopes
Grows to 8" high. Flowers are up to 2" across. Leaves are basal and on the stem and to 3" long.
Flora of North America reference.
Hooker's Townsend Daisy
Townsendia hookeri
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Easter Daisy, Stemless Daisy
Photo taken on:
April 25, 2009
Location:
Wet Mountains, Eastern CO
Life Zones:
Plains to foothills
Habitat:
Dry meadows, slopes
Grows close to the ground. Flowers are 1" across. Leaves are narrow, grayish and hairy. Found primarily on the Eastern Slope.
Flora of North America reference.
Hoary Townsend Daisy
Townsendia incana
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Silvery Townsendia
Photo taken on:
April 9, 2015
Location:
Abiquiu Lake, NM
Life Zones:
Plains and foothills
Habitat:
Sandy, rocky, pinyon-juniper woodlands
Grows less than 3" high with densely hairy stems and leaves. Leaves are spatula to lance shaped. Flowers have as few as 8 petals but up to 34 and flower heads are about 1" across. Very cute.
Flora of North America reference.
Common Townsend Daisy
Townsendia leptotes
Family:
Sunflower (Asteraceae)
AKA:
Slender-leaf Townsendia
Photo taken on:
April 25, 2022
Location:
North rim of Cañon de Cobre, Carson NF, NM
Life Zones:
Foothills to alpine
Habitat:
Sandy slopes, rocky ridges
Grows in mounds with long, hairy, narrow leaves surpassing the flowers. Flowers have as few as 13 petals but can have up to 34. Flower heads are about 1" across and are white to pinkish. Found primarily on the Western Slope.
Flora of North America reference.