Townsendia scapigera
Tufted townsend daisy
(c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jim Morefield · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Townsendia scapigera (Tufted townsend daisy) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by taller habit and longer peduncles.
Tufted townsend daisy is a California native perennial found in the Great Basin in rocky slopes and sagebrush openings at elevations of 1,400 to 3,600 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces white to pink or violet ray flowers on peduncles over 30 millimeters long. Growing as a low, compact plant 3 to 10 centimeters tall with erect stems, it forms a dense tufted cluster. Its leaves are basal and along the stem, oblanceolate to obovate, 1 to 5 centimeters long, with a strigose (stiff-haired) surface and rounded tips. The fruit is spread with fine hairs, with a persistent pappus that helps in wind dispersal.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key features are taller habit and longer peduncles
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, openings in sagebrush
Elevation: 1400-3600 m
Outside California: Nevada
Bloom period
Townsendia scapigera blooms May-Aug.
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 scapigera native to California?
Yes. Townsendia scapigera is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Townsendia scapigera bloom?
Townsendia scapigera blooms May-Aug.
What plant family does Townsendia scapigera belong to?
Townsendia scapigera is in the Asteraceae family, genus Townsendia.
What habitat does Townsendia scapigera grow in?
Townsendia scapigera grows in Rocky slopes, openings in sagebrush.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.