Townsendia smithii

Perennials, 3-8(-12+) cm (usually ± pulvinate). Stems ± erect; inter-nodes 0.1-1 mm, ± scabrellous. Leaves basal and cauline, ± spatulate to oblanceolate, 15-50(-80) × 2-6(-11) mm, little, if at all, fleshy, faces ± scabrellous. Heads on scapiform peduncles 30-80(-120) mm. Involucres ± hemispheric to campanulate, 10-15 mm diam. Phyllaries 14-26 in 2-3+ series, the longer lance-ovate to lanceolate, 9-11 mm (l/w = 3-5), apices attenuate, abaxial faces piloso-strigose to strigose. Ray florets 12-21; corollas white adaxially, laminae 6-12+ mm, glabrous abaxially. Disc florets 60-80+; corollas 3.5-5 mm. Cypselae 2.5-3.5 mm, faces hairy, hair tips entire; pappi persistent, 16-20+ lanceolate to subulate scales 0.2-0.8 mm (± connate). 2n = 18.

Flowering May. Volcanic soils, pinyon or yellow pines; of conservation concern; 2000-2400 m; Ariz.