Rothrock's Townsend daisy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rothrock's Townsend daisy |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Townsendia (plant)
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| Species: |
rothrockii
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Townsendia rothrockii is a beautiful flowering plant often called Rothrock's Townsend daisy. It belongs to the aster family, which includes many well-known flowers like sunflowers and daisies. This special plant is only found in Colorado, United States. There are about 35 known places where it grows across thirteen counties in Colorado. Reports of this plant growing in New Mexico are not true.
Contents
What Does Rothrock's Townsend Daisy Look Like?
This plant is a small, long-lasting herb. It forms a tight group of thick leaves that can grow up to 3.5 centimeters long. It has a strong main root called a taproot and a woody base called a caudex.
Its Unique Flowers
The flowers of Rothrock's Townsend daisy are shaped like a cup and can be up to 2.8 centimeters wide. The outer petals, called ray florets, are usually blue or lilac in color. They can be as long as 1.6 centimeters. In the center of the flower head, you'll find yellow disc florets.
Where Does This Plant Live?
Rothrock's Townsend daisy loves to grow in high places. You can find it in the mountains of southwestern Colorado. It lives in many different types of mountain environments.
Mountain Habitats
This plant grows in montane, subalpine, and alpine climates. These are all areas found at high elevations in the mountains. You might spot it in places like:
- fellfields (rocky, exposed areas)
- talus (slopes covered in broken rocks)
- Meadows (grassy fields)
- Ridges and passes (high points and paths between mountains)
- Rock outcrops (places where rocks stick out of the ground)
- Areas that have been disturbed, like by landslides or human activity.
Plant Neighbors
Many other plants grow alongside Rothrock's Townsend daisy. Some of its plant neighbors include:
- Abies lasiocarpa (a type of fir tree)
- Agrostis thurberiana (a type of grass)
- Anemone multifida (a type of anemone flower)
- Draba nivalis var. exigua (a small plant from the mustard family)
- Eritrichium aretioides (a tiny blue flower)
- Festuca thurberi (another type of grass)
- Oreoxis alpina (a small yellow flower)
- Pinus ponderosa (Ponderosa pine tree)
- Polemonium viscosum (a sticky blue flower)
- Rydbergia grandiflora (a large yellow daisy-like flower)
- Trifolium dasyphyllum (a type of clover)
- Trifolium nanum (another type of clover)
- Valeriana capitata (a type of valerian flower)
