Penstemon wardii

Stems ascending to erect, (6–) 15–42 cm, ± retrorsely hairy or pubescent, not glaucous. Leaves basal and cauline, ± leathery or not, densely retrorsely hairy, not glaucous; basal and proximal cauline 20–70 × 3–16 (–22) mm, blade oblanceolate, base tapered, margins entire, apex obtuse to acute; cauline 2–5 pairs, short-petiolate or sessile, 19–72 × 3–9 mm, blade oblanceolate to lanceolate, base tapered to truncate, apex obtuse to acute. Thyrses continuous, secund, (4–) 10–22 cm, axis retrorsely hairy to retrorsely pubescent or pubescent, verticillasters (3–) 5–8, cymes 1–5-flowered, 2 per node; proximal bracts oblanceolate to lanceolate, 25–70 × 3–9 mm; peduncles and pedicels retrorsely hairy and glandular-pubescent. Flowers: calyx lobes ovate, 6–8.5 × 2.8–3.8 mm, glandular-pubescent; corolla blue to lavender, with or without faint lavender nectar guides, ventricose, 24–30 mm, glandular-pubescent externally, glabrous internally, tube 8–12 mm, throat gradually inflated, slightly constricted at orifice, 6–9 (–12) mm diam., slightly 2-ridged abaxially; stamens: longer pair reaching orifice or slightly exserted, pollen-sacs divergent, sigmoid, 2–2.5 mm, dehiscing incompletely, proximal 1/5–1/4 indehiscent, connective not splitting, sides glabrous, sutures denticulate, teeth to 0.1 mm; staminode 16–18 mm, included, 0.5–0.8 mm diam., tip straight, glabrous; style 20–24 mm. Capsules 12–15 × 8–10 mm.

Phenology: Flowering May–Jul.
Habitat: Clayey or loamy soils, foothills, desert shrub communities, pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Elevation: 1500–2000 m.

Utah.

Discussion

Penstemon wardii is known from the foothills surrounding Sevier Valley in Millard, Piute, Sanpete, and Sevier counties (E. C. Neese and N. D. Atwood 2003).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa