Penstemon whippleanus

(Dusky Beardtongue)

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Penstemon whippleanus, Upper Crystal Lake, Summit Co. 7313/7337

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Penstemon whippleanus, Shrine Ridge Trail, Eagle Co. 6925

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Penstemon whippleanus, Mayflower Gulch, Summit Co. 0390

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Penstemon whippleanus, Blue Lakes, Summit Co. 0121

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Penstemon whippleanus, Mayflower Gulch, Summit Co. 3790

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Penstemon whippleanus, Miner's Creek, Summit Co. 5852

Scientific Name Penstemon whippleanus USDA PLANTS Symbol PEWH
Common Name Dusky Beardtongue, Whipple's Penstemon ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 33793
Family Plantaginaceae (Plantain) formerly Scrophulariaceae SEINet
Reference 		Click Here
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; anthers are blue and 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 a white version of P. whippleanus click here. 		BONAP Distribution Map

Map Color Key		 Colorado Status:
Native
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© Tom Lebsack 2024

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