Townsendia leptotes
Slender townsendia, Slender Townsendia
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Townsendia leptotes (Slender townsendia) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by bioregion code unclear but stated as isolated.
Slender townsendia is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the White and Inyo Mountains on rocky or sandy slopes at elevations of 3,500 to 3,800 meters. Flowering from June to July, this plant produces white to pink or blue flowers with delicate ray petals. Growing as a compact herb less than 3 centimeters tall, it forms a low, dense cluster with extremely short stems. Its basal leaves are narrow and oblanceolate, approximately 1 to 2 centimeters long, with a fine, strigose texture and acute tips. The plant's small stature and delicate flowers make it a distinctive alpine species adapted to high-elevation mountain environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; bioregion code unclear but stated as isolated
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky or sandy slopes
Elevation: 3500-3800 m
Outside California: to Montana, New Mexico
Bloom period
Townsendia leptotes blooms Jun-Jul.
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 leptotes native to California?
Yes. Townsendia leptotes is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Townsendia leptotes bloom?
Townsendia leptotes blooms Jun-Jul.
What plant family does Townsendia leptotes belong to?
Townsendia leptotes is in the Asteraceae family, genus Townsendia.
Is Townsendia leptotes rare or endangered?
Townsendia leptotes carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Townsendia leptotes grow in?
Townsendia leptotes grows in Rocky or sandy 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.