[2] Named after 19th century botanist William Jackson Hooker, T. hookeri shares the genus Townsendia with at least 28 other species at this time.

The more noticeable morphological features of T. hookeri include the growth of linear, strigose leaves, and the early-spring formation of sessile or "stemless" flowers[3] which are most often cream to faintly pink.

Although members of the genus Townsendia can be notoriously challenging to key, there are a few tell-tale features that distinguish T. hookeri from its look-a-like T. exscapa.

Townsendia hookeri is native to North America, primarily along the Rocky Mountain corridor.

[5] Townsendia hookeri is most commonly found growing on well-draining talus slopes, gravel, and exposures, including disturbances such as road cuts.