Penstemon fremontii

Stems ascending to erect, 8–25(–40) cm, densely retrorsely hairy, not glaucous. Leaves basal and cauline, or basal absent or reduced, not leathery, retrorsely hairy or glabrous, sometimes glabrescent, not glaucous; basal and proximal cauline 30–75(–100) × 2–18(–27) mm, blade oblanceolate to elliptic, base tapered, margins entire, apex obtuse to acute; cauline 2–4 pairs, sessile, rarely short-petiolate, 22–77 × 3–10(–15) mm, blade lanceolate, proximals sometimes oblanceolate, base tapered to truncate, apex acute. Thyrses interrupted to ± continuous, cylindric, (3–)8–22(–28) cm, axis moderately to densely retrorsely hairy, verticillasters (5–)7–15, cymes (1 or)2- or 3-flowered, 2 per node; proximal bracts lanceolate, 16–50(–63) × 3–10 mm; peduncles and pedicels retrorsely hairy. Flowers: calyx lobes ovate, (3–)4–6.8 × 1.7–2.8 mm, glabrous, rarely ± puberulent; corolla blue to violet or purple, with violet nectar guides, funnelform, (12–)14–23(–28) mm, glabrous externally, glabrous internally, tube 6–8 mm, throat gradually inflated, not constricted at orifice, 6–9 mm diam., rounded abaxially; stamens included, pollen sacs divergent, navicular, (1–)1.2–1.5(–1.8) mm, dehiscing incompletely, proximal 1/4 indehiscent, connective not splitting, sides sparsely to moderately hispid, hairs white or tan, to 0.4(–1) mm, sutures papillate or denticulate, teeth to 0.1 mm; staminode 10–12 mm, included, 0.8–1.1 mm diam., tip recurved, distal 5–7 mm sparsely pilose, hairs yellow, to 1 mm; style 12–15 mm. Capsules 7–10 × 5–6 mm.

Distribution

w United States.

Discussion

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Penstemon fremontii var. fremontii, Penstemon fremontii var. glabrescens

Key

1	Leaves densely retrorsely hairy, rarely glabrescent, basal and proximal cauline 2–18(–27) mm wide.	Penstemon fremontii var. fremontii
1	Leaves glabrous or glabrescent, except sometimes margins and midveins, basal and proximal cauline 2–12 mm wide.	Penstemon fremontii var. glabrescens