Penstemon kralii

Herbs. Stems ascending to erect, 40–70 cm, spreading-puberulent or retrorsely hairy proximally, glandular-pubescent distally, not glaucous. Leaves basal and cauline, not leathery, glabrate or puberulent; basal and proximal cauline 20–70 × (5–)9–20 mm, blade oblanceolate, base tapered, margins entire or ± serrate or crenate, apex obtuse to acute; cauline 6–9 pairs, sessile, 120–150 × 30–40 mm, blade oblong to lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, base tapered to clasping, margins serrate to dentate, apex acute to acuminate. Thyrses interrupted, conic, 5–20 cm, axis glandular-pubescent, verticillasters 4–7, cymes 3–7-flowered, 2 per node; proximal bracts ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, 16–60(–80) × 3–45 mm, margins entire or serrate; peduncles and pedicels ascending, glandular-pubescent. Flowers: calyx lobes lanceolate, 4–5.5 × 0.8–1.2 mm, glandular-pubescent; corolla pale lavender to nearly white, with violet nectar guides, tubular-funnelform, 10–16 mm, glandular-pubescent externally, sparsely white-lanate internally abaxially, tube 6–7 mm, throat gradually inflated, 5–7 mm diam., slightly 2-ridged abaxially; stamens included, pollen sacs opposite, navicular, 0.8–1 mm, dehiscing completely, connective splitting, sides glabrous, sutures papillate; staminode 7–8 mm, reaching orifice or slightly exserted, 0.3–0.5 mm diam., tip straight to slightly recurved, distal 4–5 mm moderately to densely pilose, hairs golden, to 1.2 mm; style 9–12 mm. Capsules 5–6 × 3.5–4 mm, glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering May.
Habitat: Calcareous soils, juniper-oak-hickory woodlands.
Elevation: 200–300 m.

Ala., Tenn.

Discussion

Penstemon kralii is known from the southern Cumberland Plateau. It has been collected in Blount, Jackson, Madison, and Morgan counties, Alabama, and in Franklin County, Tennessee.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa