Penstemon attenuatus var. militaris
in C. L. Hitchcock et al., Vasc. Pl. Pacif. N.W. 4: 373. 1959.
Stems (17–)30–50(–70) cm. Flowers: calyx lobes lanceolate, rarely ovate, margins erose; corolla bluish purple, 10–17 mm; pollen sacs 0.6–0.8 mm, dehiscing incompletely, distal 1/5 or less usually indehiscent, connective not splitting, sutures papillate.
Phenology: Flowering Jun–Aug.
Habitat: Rocky Douglas fir and lodgepole pine forests.
Elevation: 1500–2800 m.
Discussion
Variety militaris bears incompletely dehiscent pollen sacs, which also occur in Penstemon globosus. On specimens where the extent of dehiscence of the sacs is difficult to determine, the presence of prominently papillate-toothed sutures is a fairly reliable character distinguishing var. militaris from other varieties of P. attenuatus, though the teeth can be absent. On some specimens of var. militaris, the teeth reach nearly 0.1 mm.
Selected References
None.