Keckiella cordifolia

(Bentham) Straw

Brittonia 19: 203. 1967.

Common names: Heartleaf keckiella
Illustrated
Basionym: Penstemon cordifolius Bentham Scroph. Ind., 7. 1835
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 17. Treatment on page 78. Mentioned on page 68, 76.

Stems climbing, 10–30 dm, glabrous or short-hairy when young. Leaves opposite; blade ovate, 20–65 mm, base rounded, truncate, or cordate, margins usually 3–11-toothed. Inflorescences panicles, glandular and hairy. Flowers: calyx 7–13 mm, lobes lanceolate; corolla red to reddish orange, 31–43 mm, tube plus indistinct throat 18–25 mm, adaxial lip 11–21 mm; pollen sacs 1.1–1.5 mm; staminode densely yellow-hairy, included. 2n = 16.


Phenology: Flowering May–Jul.
Habitat: Chaparral, forests.
Elevation: 0–1500 m.

Distribution

Calif., Mexico (Baja California).

Discussion

In the flora area, Keckiella cordifolia occurs primarily in the South Coast Ranges, the San Bernardino Mountains, the Peninsular Ranges, and the Channel Islands. It grows in wooded, riparian habitats and is the most mesic of keckiellas.

Individuals with yellow corollas are presumed to be mutants in which the red anthocyanins are not expressed. Individual plants may develop as weakly sprawling to climbing shrubs. The relatively long stems are not self-supporting.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.