Subshrubs. Stems ascending to erect, 6–40 cm, retrorsely hairy, not glaucous. Leaves basal and cauline, alternate or mostly opposite, not leathery, retrorsely hairy; basal and proximal cauline 10–50(–70) × 1–4 mm, blade spatulate to oblanceolate or linear, base tapered, margins entire, revolute, apex rounded to obtuse or acute; cauline 8–12 pairs (or 13–25 leaves when alternate), sessile, 7–35 × 1–3 mm, blade oblanceolate to linear, base tapered, margins entire, apex acute. Thyrses interrupted, cylindric to secund, 2–12 cm, axis glandular-pubescent and retrorsely hairy, verticillasters 3–12, cymes 1(or 2)-flowered, 1 or 2 per node; proximal bracts lanceolate to linear, 5–18 × 0.5–3 mm, margins entire; peduncles and pedicels erect, glandular-pubescent and/or retrorsely hairy. Flowers: calyx lobes lanceolate, 5–8.5 × 1.7–2.7 mm, puberulent and glandular-pubescent; corolla violet to blue or purple, with or without reddish nectar guides, funnelform, 15–22 mm, glandular-pubescent externally, glandular-pubescent internally, tube 3–4 mm, throat gradually inflated, 5–6 mm diam., slightly 2-ridged abaxially; stamens included or longer pair reaching orifice, pollen sacs opposite, navicular to subexplanate, 0.8–1 mm, dehiscing completely, connective splitting, sides glabrous, sutures smooth; staminode 8–11 mm, included, 0.4–0.6 mm diam., tip straight, distal 3–5 mm sparsely to densely pubescent, hairs yellow, to 1 mm; style 10–12 mm. Capsules 5–9 × 3–5.3 mm, glabrous. 2n = 16.

Distribution

nw United States.

Discussion

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora).

Following A. Cronquist (1959), two varieties are recognized here.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Penstemon gairdneri var. gairdneri, Penstemon gairdneri var. oreganus

Key

1	Leaves alternate; stems 6–20(–35) cm.	Penstemon gairdneri var. gairdneri
1	Leaves opposite, sometimes alternate; stems 20–40 cm.	Penstemon gairdneri var. oreganus