Scientific Name | Penstemon palmeri | USDA PLANTS Symbol | PEPA8 |
Common Name | Palmer's Penstemon | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 33738 |
Family | Plantaginaceae (Plantain) | SEINet Reference |
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Description |
Life zones and habitat: Foothills (6000 to 7700 ft); sandy soils along roadsides. Plant: Erect perennial with solitary or few stems 20 to 55 inches tall. Leaves: Basal and lower stem leaves large (2-3/8 to 4 inches long and 1/2 to 1-1/4 inches wide) and oblong to ovate; mid-stem leaves smaller, ovate; dentate margins; stem leaves opposite and clasping. Inflorescence: Flowers in 5 to 10 crowded cymes clustered along stem, tending to be on one side; each cluster with 2 to 5 flowers; flowers with 5-lobed corolla about 3/4-inch long, mostly light pink with a few purple lines on the lower lobes; lower lobes smooth or somewhat hairy internally; staminode (unfertile stamen in center of blossom) slightly protruding, tip hooked and densely bearded with long, pale brownish yellow hairs. Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, SEINet and American Southwest. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2023
Banner photo: Ten Mile Range and Rhodiola integrifolia (King’s Crown) in Summit County