Penstemon crandallii ssp. crandallii

(Crandall’s Penstemon)

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Penstemon crandallii ssp. crandallii, FR 503, Uncomphagre Plateau, Montrose Co. 3202

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Penstemon crandallii ssp. crandallii, FR 503, Uncomphagre Plateau, Montrose Co. 3210

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Penstemon crandallii ssp. crandallii, FR 503, Uncomphagre Plateau, Montrose Co. 3221

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Leaves, Penstemon crandallii ssp. crandallii, FR 503, Uncomphagre Plateau, Montrose Co. 3206

Scientific Name Penstemon crandallii ssp. crandallii USDA PLANTS Symbol PECRC
Common Name Crandall's Penstemon, Crandall's Beardtongue ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 33858
Family Plantaginaceae (Plantain) formerly Scrophulariaceae SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Foothills to subalpine (6000 to 11000 ft); open, dry slopes and meadows.
Plant: Short perennial growing in spreading mats less than 6-1/2 inches tall with flowering, ascending stems sprawling along the ground.
Leaves: Ascending/upright, narrowly oblanceolate to spatulate 3/8 to 1-1/8 inches long; no obvious petiole; smooth to minutely hairy.
Inflorescence: Flowers in crowded clusters atop the stem, tending to be on one side; each 5-lobed corolla 1/2 to 3/4-inch long, light to dark blue and covered with glandular hairs externally; lower lobes somewhat hairy internally, yellow hairs; staminode (unfertile stamen in center of blossom) covered with golden-yellow hairs; and anthers smooth; calyx ~1/4-inch long and covered with glandular hairs.
Bloom Period: June to August.
References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "A Guide to Rocky Mountain Plants" by Nelson and Williams and SW Colorado Wildflowers.
BONAP Distribution Map

Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains