Penstemon stephensii
Zoë 5: 151. 1903. (as Pentstemon stephensi)
Herbs. Stems ascending to erect, 30–150 cm, glaucous, sometimes not. Leaves: basal and proximal cauline 35–80 × 18–30 mm, blade spatulate to ovate or elliptic, base tapered, margins coarsely serrate to coarsely dentate, apex rounded to acute; cauline 4–7 pairs, sessile, 18–80 × 10–40 mm, blade ovate-oblong to triangular-ovate, base connate-perfoliate, margins finely serrate, apex obtuse to acute or acuminate. Thyrses interrupted, secund, 16–45 cm, axis glabrous or sparsely glandular-pubescent distally, verticillasters 8–14, cymes 2–6-flowered; proximal bracts depressed-ovate to ovate or triangular, 12–50 × 15–55 mm; peduncles and pedicels erect, sparsely glandular-pubescent. Flowers: calyx lobes ovate, 3–4.2(–5) × 1.5–2.5 mm, glandular-pubescent; corolla rose to magenta or pinkish lavender, without nectar guides, bilabiate, funnelform to slightly ventricose, 16–20 mm, glandular-pubescent externally, glandular-pubescent internally, tube 5–6 mm, length 1.7–2 times calyx lobes, throat gradually inflated, not constricted at orifice, 4–6 mm diam., rounded abaxially; stamens included, filaments glabrous, pollen sacs explanate, 1.1–1.5 mm, sutures smooth; staminode 9–13 mm, included, 0.2–0.3 mm diam., tip straight, glabrous; style 10–12 mm, glabrous. Capsules 7–10 × 4–6 mm, glabrous.
Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jun.
Habitat: Rocky slopes, washes, rock crevices, creosote shrublands, pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Elevation: 1200–1700 m.
Discussion
Penstemon stephensii is known from the Granite, Kingston, Nopah, and Providence ranges in Inyo and San Bernardino counties.
Selected References
None.