Penstemon leonardii

Herbs or subshrubs. Stems decumbent to ascending or erect, (5–)10–30(–47) cm, puberulent or retrorsely hairy, hairs pointed, not glaucous. Leaves cauline, opposite, glabrous, sometimes proximals puberulent, hairs pointed, not glaucous; cauline 2–7 pairs, short-petiolate or sessile, 11–48(–60) × 2–12 mm, blade oblanceolate to spatulate or obovate, rarely linear, base tapered, margins entire, apex rounded to obtuse or acute. Thyrses continuous or interrupted, cylindric to ± secund, (1–)2–15(–25) cm, axis glabrous or retrorsely hairy, verticillasters 2–8, cymes 1–4-flowered, 2 per node; proximal bracts lanceolate, 10–35 × 1–4 mm; peduncles and pedicels ascending to erect, peduncles glabrous or sparsely retrorsely hairy, pedicels glabrous or papillate distally. Flowers: calyx lobes ovate to lanceolate, 3–5.5 × 0.9–2.2 mm, margins entire or erose, scarious, apex acuminate to caudate, glabrous; corolla lavender to blue or violet, with or without faint lavender nectar guides, funnelform to ventricose, 14–26 mm, glabrous externally, glabrous internally, tube 5–8 mm, throat gradually inflated, 6–8(–10) mm diam., slightly 2-ridged abaxially; stamens included or longer pair reaching orifice, filaments glabrous, pollen sacs parallel, 0.9–1.9 mm, distal 1/2–2/3 indehiscent, sides glabrous or puberulent, hairs white, to 0.1 mm, sutures denticulate, teeth to 0.2 mm; staminode 10–15 mm, included or reaching orifice, 0.6–0.9 mm diam., glabrous; style 12–18 mm. Capsules 6–8 × 2.5–4.5 mm.

Distribution

w United States.

Discussion

Varieties 3 (3 in the flora).

Penstemon leonardii is common in the Wasatch Mountains, Utah Plateaus, and mountain ranges in the eastern Basin and Range Province. Elements allied with it have been interpreted variously as one species comprising three varieties, two species (one with two varieties), or three species; the broadest concept is followed here.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Penstemon leonardii var. higginsii, Penstemon leonardii var. leonardii, Penstemon leonardii var. patricus

Key

1	Corollas 20–26 mm; pollen sacs (1.2–)1.4–1.9 mm; e Nevada, w Utah.	Penstemon leonardii var. patricus
1	Corollas 14–22 mm; pollen sacs 0.9–1.6 mm; nw Arizona, se Idaho, se Nevada, Utah.	> 2
2	Corolla limbs blue to lavender; thyrses continuous; se Idaho, n Utah.	Penstemon leonardii var. leonardii
2	Corolla limbs lavender to violet; thyrses continuous or interrupted; nw Arizona, se Nevada, sw Utah.	Penstemon leonardii var. higginsii