(Whipple's Penstemon)
Penstemon whippleanus (white), Indian Peaks, Boulder Co. 6304
Penstemon whippleanus (white), Straight Creek Trail, Summit Co. 8479
Penstemon whippleanus (white), Straight Creek Trail, Summit Co. 8455
| Scientific Name | Penstemon whippleanus | USDA PLANTS Symbol | PEWH |
| Common Name | Whipple's Penstemon | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 33793 |
| Family | Plantaginaceae (Plantain) formerly Scrophulariaceae | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Montane to alpine (8000 to 13,500 ft); open, dry areas such as clearings, meadows, talus slopes, etc. Plant: Erect perennial with multiple, leafy stems up to 2 feet tall. Leaves: Basal leaves lanceolate to ovate 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches long, on petioles and entire to dentate margins; stem leave sessile, lanceolate to oblanceolate, smooth margins, and arranged in opposite pairs, 1 to 2-1/2+ inches long. Inflorescence: Dark purple (usually) blossoms in 2 to 5 one-side clusters atop and along stem; blossoms pointing slightly downward; also occurs in red-violet, off-white, lilac and bi-colored lilac and white; corolla glandular-hairy on outside, lower lobes with long hairs; staminode with a tuft of yellow hairs at tip; blue anthers smooth. Bloom Period: June to September. References: "The Alpine Flora of the Rocky Mountains" by Richard W. Scott, "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield and American Southwest. Notes: To view the purple version of P. whippleanus click here. |
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