Townsendia raptora (Asteraceae: Astereae): A new narrow endemic species from Utah and Colorado (U.S.A.)

A new species of Townsendia (Asteraceae: Astereae) is described from Grand County, Utah. Townsendia raptora L.M. Shultz, T.K. Lowrey, & Z.R. Coury, sp. nov. was first found in the vicinity of the Mill Canyon dinosaur tracksite and is named in honor of fossil tracks made by raptor-like dinosaurs at this location. Townsendia raptora was previously recognized as the variety T. strigosa var. prolixa. Townsendia raptora is distinct from T. strigosa Nutt. based on its long-lived perennial (not biennial) habit and differs from the co-occurring T. incana Nutt. in its larger heads, cuspidate leaf tips, and acaulescent habit. The species also occurs in adjacent Montrose County, Colorado.