Townsendia condensata
Cushion townsendia, Cushion Townsendia
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Townsendia condensata (Cushion townsendia) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by cushion habit, woolly leaves, and high elevation.
Cushion townsendia is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in northern Mono County's eastern Sierra Nevada in gravelly slopes at elevations of 3,200 to 3,700 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white ray flowers in compact, nearly sessile heads. Growing as a low, compact herb less than 3 centimeters tall with a dense, woolly appearance, it forms tight cushion-like clusters. Its basal leaves are narrowly obovate, 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters long, with soft, woolly surfaces and rounded tips. The plant's phyllaries are lanceolate with scarious margins and long hairs, giving it a distinctive textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key features are cushion habit, woolly leaves, and high elevation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly slopes
Elevation: 3200-3700 m
Outside California: to southwestern Canada, Wyoming, Colorado
Bloom period
Townsendia condensata blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Arctotis: Townsendia forms native alpine cushions; Arctotis is a garden escape with woolly-gray leaves.; vs Eatonella: Townsendia is perennial forming persistent mats; Eatonella is annual and dies after one season.; vs Rigiopappus: Townsendia has long bristle-like pappus scales; Rigiopappus pappus is minute or absent.; vs Monoptilon: Townsendia is perennial and cushion-forming; Monoptilon is a tiny desert annual.
Frequently asked questions
Is Townsendia condensata native to California?
Yes. Townsendia condensata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Townsendia condensata bloom?
Townsendia condensata blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Townsendia condensata belong to?
Townsendia condensata is in the Asteraceae family, genus Townsendia.
Is Townsendia condensata rare or endangered?
Townsendia condensata carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Townsendia condensata grow in?
Townsendia condensata grows in Gravelly slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.