Penstemon breviculus

Stems ascending to erect, 8–20 (–35) cm, retrorsely hairy. Leaves basal and cauline, not leathery, retrorsely hairy, sometimes glabrate; basal and proximal cauline petiolate, 35–95 × 3–18 mm, blade oblanceolate to lanceolate or linear, base tapered, margins entire or obscurely dentate, rarely prominently dentate distally, apex rounded to obtuse or acute; cauline (1 or) 2–5 pairs, short-petiolate or sessile, 33–78 × 4–10 mm, blade elliptic to oblanceolate, lanceolate or linear, base tapered to clasping, margins entire or dentate, apex obtuse to acute. Thyrses continuous or ± interrupted, cylindric, 4–11 (–18) cm, axis glandular-pubescent, verticillasters 3–5, cymes (1 or) 2–6-flowered, 2 per node; proximal bracts lanceolate to linear, 16–38 × 2–8 mm; peduncles and pedicels glandular-pubescent. Flowers: calyx lobes lanceolate, 4.5–7.5 × 1.2–2 mm, glandular-pubescent; corolla dark blue to violet or purple, with reddish violet nectar guides, ampliate, 10–15 (–18) mm, yellowish or whitish villous internally abaxially, tube 5–6 mm, throat abruptly inflated, ± constricted at orifice, 3.5–6 mm diam., rounded abaxially; stamens included, pollen-sacs opposite, explanate, 0.6–1 mm, dehiscing completely, sutures smooth; staminode 7–8 mm, reaching orifice or exserted, 0.3–0.4 mm diam., tip straight to recurved, distal 5–6 mm densely pubescent, hairs orangish yellow, to 1.5 mm, and medial hairs shorter, stiffer, and retrorse; style 9–11 mm. Capsules 6–9 × 4.5–6 mm. 2n = 16.

Phenology: Flowering May–Jun.
Habitat: Sandy or clayey soils, sagebrush shrublands, pinyon-juniper woodlands, desert grasslands.
Elevation: 1500–2000 m.

Ariz., Colo., N.Mex., Utah.

Discussion

Penstemon breviculus is known from the Four Corners region. Populations have been documented in Arizona (Apache County), Colorado (Montezuma, Montrose, and San Miguel counties), New Mexico (McKinley and San Juan counties), and Utah (Grand, San Juan, and Wayne counties).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa