Penstemon parryi

Stems ascending to erect, 30–120 (–160) cm, glaucous. Leaves glabrous, glaucous; basal and proximal cauline 36–125 × 8–25 mm, blade spatulate to oblanceolate or elliptic, base tapered, margins entire, rarely remotely and obscurely dentate, apex rounded to obtuse or acute; cauline 2–5 pairs, sessile, 23–130 × 5–25 mm, blade lanceolate to oblong, base clasping to auriculate-clasping, margins entire, rarely remotely and obscurely dentate, apex obtuse to acute. Thyrses interrupted, cylindric, (4–) 10–60 cm, axis glabrous, verticillasters (2–) 5–16, cymes 2–7-flowered; proximal bracts lanceolate, (8–) 13–55 × 2–8 mm; peduncles and pedicels ascending to erect, glabrous or pedicels slightly glandular-pubescent. Flowers: calyx lobes ovate to lanceolate, 3–4.6 × 1.2–2 mm, apex acute to short-acuminate, glabrous or sparsely glandular-pubescent; corolla rose-pink to rose magenta, with reddish purple nectar guides, bilaterally symmetric, bilabiate, ventricose, 13–22 mm, glandular-pubescent externally, white-pilose and glandular-pubescent internally abaxially, tube 3–7 mm, throat gradually inflated, 5–7 mm diam., rounded abaxially; stamens included, pollen-sacs explanate, 1.1–1.4 mm, sutures smooth; staminode 10–12 mm, flattened distally, 0.7–1 (–2.5) mm diam., tip straight, distal 4–5 mm retrorsely hairy, hairs yellow or whitish, to 1 mm; style 13–15 mm. Capsules 7–9 × 4–5 mm. 2n = 16.

Phenology: Flowering (Feb–)Mar–May.
Habitat: Rocky hillsides, washes, canyons, oak scrub and deserts.
Elevation: 200–1500 m.

Ariz., Mexico (Sonora)

Discussion

Penstemon parryi is known from the scattered desert mountain ranges of southern Arizona in Cochise, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yavapai counties. The species resembles P. superbus; it is distinguished by its narrow leaves and corollas that are rose pink or rose magenta, more bilaterally symmetric, and white-pilose abaxially in the throats.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa