Penstemon laevis

Stems ascending to erect, 28–90 cm, glabrous, ± glaucous. Leaves basal and cauline, ± leathery, glabrous, ± glaucous; basal and proximal cauline 35–120(–150) × 8–30 mm, blade obovate to oblanceolate or elliptic, base tapered, margins entire, sometimes undulate, apex obtuse; cauline 3–6 pairs, sessile or proximals sometimes short- to long-petiolate, (20–)30–120 × 6–20(–29) mm, blade oblanceolate to lanceolate or elliptic, base truncate to clasping, sometimes tapered, margins sometimes undulate, apex obtuse to acute. Thyrses continuous, secund, 8–48 cm, axis glabrous; verticillasters 5–8(–17), cymes 1–4-flowered, 2 per node; proximal bracts lanceolate, 10–65 × 2–15 mm; peduncles and pedicels glabrous. Flowers: calyx lobes ovate to lanceolate, (4–)4.5–9(–10) × 2.1–3.4(–3.8) mm, glabrous; corolla blue to bluish violet, with reddish violet nectar guides, ventricose, (20–)25–32 mm, glabrous externally, glabrous internally, tube 7–11 mm, throat abruptly inflated, slightly constricted at orifice, 8–12 mm diam., 2-ridged abaxially; stamens: longer pair reaching orifice or exserted, pollen sacs divergent, sigmoid, 2–2.5 mm, dehiscing incompletely, proximal 1/4 indehiscent, connective not splitting, sides glabrous, sutures denticulate, teeth to 0.1 mm; staminode 16–19 mm, included or reaching orifice, 0.6–0.9 mm diam., tip straight to recurved, distal 5–7 mm ± pilose, hairs yellow, to 1 mm; style (17–)19–23 mm. Capsules 8–10 × 5–6 mm.

Phenology: Flowering May–Jun.
Habitat: Sandy soils, sagebrush, juniper, oak-juniper, and pine-juniper communities.
Elevation: 1100–2000 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ariz., Utah.

Discussion

Penstemon laevis is known from Coconino and Mohave counties, Arizona, and Garfield, Kane, and Washington counties, Utah. Penstemon ×jonesii Pennell, a putative hybrid between P. eatonii and P. laevis, is known from Kane and Washington counties, Utah (E. C. Neese and N. D. Atwood 2003).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.