It is called Low Townsendia because it is only about one inch high. This almost stemless plant would go unnoticed if it wasn’t for the large white to pink ray flowers surrounding the yellow disk. It blooms in early spring on dry hillsides in the southern end of Kootenay National Park and also been found at Kootenae House National Historic Site. This year the flowers were noticed on April 29; however, they have been recorded in previous years as early as April 10.

For more information go to E-Flora BC
Above photo: This red listed plant for British Columbia is an appropriate post on May 18 as it is ‘Endangered Species Day’

Friends of Kootenay/Photo by Larry Halverson

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