Cushion Townsend Daisy
Townsendia condensata
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Wikimedia: (c) Jim Morefield, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Townsendia
- Species:
- Townsendia condensata
- USDA Symbol:
- TOCO2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 10 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to alpine and subalpine regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 4-8 weeks to break dormancy; sow on surface of well-drained soil.
Pre-treatment: Dry storage of seeds for 5 months
Establishment: Seeds are hand collected in late August when achenes turn gray and are easily removed from the disc. Seeds are collected in paper bags and kept in a well ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning. T. condensata is a short lived perennial which occupies talus and scree slopes at high elevations. It is found from Alberta to northwest Wyoming in scattered locations at high elevations.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.