Townsendia is a genus of North American plants in the tribe Astereae within the family Asteraceae. The genus is known commonly as Townsend daisies or as grounddaisies. These annual, biennial and perennial wildflowers are native to western North America, frequently at high elevations. A number of taxa are tall, erect plants, like typical daisies. Others form small, dense, leafy rosettes, or have a more sprawling, prostrate appearance. Frequently, the flower heads are showy and attractive, with the ray florets in shades of pink, purple, blue, white, and, rarely, yellow. The genus name honors Pennsylvania botanist David Townsend (1787–1858). see Xylorhiza