Penstemon miser
in A. Gray et al., Syn. Fl. N. Amer. ed. 2, 2(1): 441. 1886. (as Pentstemon)
Stems ascending to erect, 8–28(–40) cm, retrorsely hairy. Leaves basal and cauline, not leathery, retrorsely hairy, hairs sometimes appressed, white, scalelike, sometimes basal and proximal cauline glabrate or glabrous abaxially; basal and proximal cauline petiolate, 15–60(–78) × 4–12(–17) mm, blade spatulate to oblanceolate, base tapered, margins entire or dentate-serrate, apex rounded to obtuse or acute; cauline 3 or 4 pairs, sessile or proximals short-petiolate, 20–50(–75) × 2–5(–10) mm, blade lanceolate to oblanceolate, base tapered to clasping, margins entire or obscurely and remotely dentate, apex obtuse to acute. Thyrses ± interrupted, cylindric, (3–)6–18 cm, axis glandular-pubescent and, sometimes, retrorsely hairy, verticillasters 3–6, cymes 2–5-flowered, 2 per node; proximal bracts lanceolate, 18–46 × 2–12 mm; peduncles and pedicels glandular-pubescent. Flowers: calyx lobes lanceolate, 5.5–8 × 1.2–2 mm, glandular-pubescent; corolla light blue to bluish purple or magenta, with reddish violet nectar guides, ventricose, 14–22 mm, sparsely white-lanate internally abaxially, tube 5–7 mm, throat abruptly inflated, not constricted at orifice, (3–)5–7 mm diam., rounded abaxially; stamens: longer pair reaching orifice, pollen sacs opposite, explanate, 0.7–1(–1.2) mm, dehiscing completely, sutures smooth; staminode 8–9 mm, exserted, 0.3–0.5 mm diam., tip straight to recurved, distal 5–7 mm moderately to densely pilose, hairs yellow or orangish yellow, to 1.2 mm; style 9–10 mm. Capsules (6–)8–11 × 4.5–7 mm.
Phenology: Flowering May–Jun.
Habitat: Clayey soils, sagebrush shrublands, pine-juniper woodlands.
Elevation: 800–1400 m.
Discussion
Penstemon miser is known from Owyhee County, Idaho, and southern Baker and northern Malheur counties, Oregon.
Selected References
None.