Castilleja peckiana
Notul. Nat. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 74: 9. 1941.
Herbs, perennial, (1.8–)2.4–6 dm; from a woody caudex; with a stout taproot. Stems few to many, erect or ascending, often branched distally, sometimes unbranched, sometimes with short axillary shoots, proximal hairs retrorse to appressed, short to moderately long, distal hairs spreading, longer, soft, often mixed with short stipitate-glandular ones. Leaves green, linear-lanceolate, rarely broadly lanceolate, (1.2–)2.5–8(–9) cm, not fleshy, margins plane, flat or involute, 0(–3)-lobed, apex acute to rounded; lobes ascending-spreading, narrowly lanceolate to linear, apex acute or obtuse. Inflorescences (2–)4–17 × 1.5–3 cm; bracts proximally greenish, distally red, orange-red, or orange, proximal sometimes lanceolate, distal broadly lanceolate to ovate, (0–)3(–7)-lobed; lobes spreading to ascending, linear to lanceolate, long, arising near or below mid length, central lobe apex rounded, lateral ones acute. Calyces proximally pale yellow or greenish, distally colored as bracts, (15–)18–28 mm; abaxial and adaxial clefts 6–12 mm, 40–45% of calyx length, deeper than laterals, lateral 2.5–8 mm, 20–30% of calyx length; lobes linear to narrowly lanceolate, apex acute to acuminate. Corollas straight, 23–30(–35) mm; tube 12–20 mm; beak exserted, adaxially green, 8–12(–14) mm; abaxial lip pale to deep green, reduced, rounded, 0.5–1.5 mm, 10–20% as long as beak; teeth erect to incurved, green, (0.4–)0.7–1.2(–2) mm. 2n = 72, 96, ca. 120.
Phenology: Flowering (Apr–)May–Aug.
Habitat: Open conifer forests, sagebrush slopes, riparian meadows, shores.
Elevation: 1400–2600 m.
Distribution
Idaho, Nev., Oreg.
Discussion
When describing Castilleja peckiana, Pennell noted that its variation approached C. hispida on one hand and C. miniata on the other, and it is likely of allopolyploid derivation. L. R. Heckard (1968) found chromosome numbers of n = 36, 48, and ca. 60. He hypothesized that C. chromosa, C. hispida var. acuta, and C. miniata were likely involved in its ancestry, and possibly C. pruinosa as well. Heckard suggested subsequent introgression among the derived forms introduced further complexity. Though complex, these forms are self-perpetuating and appear morphologically stable within their range.
Selected References
None.