Penstemon fendleri
in War Department [U.S.], Pacif. Railr. Rep. 2(4): 168, plate 5. 1857. (as Pentstemon)
Stems erect, (15–)20–55(–60) cm, glabrous. Leaves basal and cauline, glabrous; basal and proximal cauline 20–100 × 4–24 mm, blade spatulate to oblanceolate, base tapered, apex rounded to obtuse or acute, sometimes mucronate; cauline 2–5 pairs, sessile, (14–)23–95 × (4–)6–31 mm, blade lanceolate or ovate to trullate, base clasping to cordate-clasping, apex obtuse to acute. Thyrses interrupted, cylindric, (5–)11–38 cm, axis glabrous, verticillasters (3 or)4–12, cymes 2- or 3(–5)-flowered; proximal bracts trullate to ovate, 11–70 × 7–38 mm; peduncles and pedicels glabrous. Flowers: calyx lobes ovate, 4.5–7 × 1.5–3.5 mm, margins entire or erose, broadly scarious, glabrous or obscurely glandular along margins distally; corolla lavender to violet or bluish, with violet or reddish purple nectar guides, tubular-salverform, 14–23(–28) mm, glabrous externally or glandular, glabrous or sparsely white-villous internally abaxially, tube 7–9 mm, throat slightly inflated, 4–6 mm diam., rounded abaxially; stamens included, pollen sacs opposite, 1–1.3 mm, sutures papillate; staminode 8–11 mm, reaching orifice, 0.8–1.6 mm diam., tip recurved, distal 1–3 mm villous, hairs golden yellow, to 1.5 mm; style 11–15 mm. Capsules 10–15 × 8–10 mm. 2n = 16.
Phenology: Flowering Mar–Jun(–Jul).
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly soils, mixed-grass, shortgrass, or sandsage prairies.
Elevation: 200–2300 m.
Distribution
Ariz., Kans., N.Mex., Okla., Tex., Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila).
Discussion
Penstemon fendleri occurs on mesas and plains from the southern Great Plains through western Texas, New Mexico, and southeastern Arizona into northern Mexico.
The Ramah Navajo of western New Mexico use Penstemon fendleri as a dermatological aid (D. E. Moerman 1998).
Selected References
None.