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Townsendia
Townsendia exscapa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Tracheophyta
(unranked):	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Townsendia
Species:	Townsendia exscapa
Binomial name
Townsendia exscapa David Townsend

The Stemless Townsendia,Townsendia exscapa, is also referred to as the Easter daisy which is a short-lived biennial or perennial dwarf plant with dense rosettes and short, gray-green pubescent leaves. Its single flower head which can be found growing on the ground level. This flower is composed of many white to pink petals around the yellow center, that are nearly stemless. It is a short, tufted plant that is nearly stemless with large flower heads surrounded by narrow leaves, and many white or pink rays around the yellow disk.

Distribution

Townsendia It grows in sandy soils, meadows, short-grass uplands, open slopes, higher elevations and pine forests openings. Three-fourths of western Canada, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

Habitat and Ecology

Describe here the range of environmental conditions that the plant may grow under, for example you might write: “Townsendia exscapa” is an early spring short lived perennial that grows in sandy soils, meadows, short-grass uplands, open slopes, higher elevations and pine forests openings. It is adapted to living in elevations ranging from 4,500 to 7,500 feet or higher.

Morphology

Individuals of this species grow low from branching woody caudex. With a height of one to three inches, they are normally stemless or have short stems, the white flowers and leaves originate from the caudex. The texture of the plant can be hairless or hairy. The leaves are green, or greenish-gray and are located at the bottom of the plant. The leaves are narrow and linear with soft hair specs.

Flowers and fruit

Flowers of “Townsendia exscapa”, are white or pink-white, with a yellow center and a short inflorescence stalk. The flower head contains ray and disk florets. It contains a cypsela fruit. The cypsela is flattened, less than ¼ inch long, achenes, pubescent; hairy, and pappi persistent or readily falling. It’s flowering period falls in the month of March, April, and May.

Medicinal

The Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation used a decoction of the roots to treat tired horses. The Navajo Tribe chewed and spit upon ceremonial knots to unravel “untying medicine” The Navajo Tribe chewed or infused the plant to ease the delivery of a pregnancy.