Penstemon moffatii
Zoë 4: 9. 1893. (as Pentstemon)
Stems ascending to erect, (3–)7–30 cm, retrorsely hairy. Leaves basal and cauline, not leathery, retrorsely hairy; basal and proximal cauline petiolate, 15–45(–65) × 3–20(–25) mm, blade spatulate to oblanceolate or ovate, base tapered, margins entire or obscurely dentate distally, apex rounded to obtuse; cauline (1 or)2–4 pairs, sessile, 16–55 × 4–10(–15) mm, blade lanceolate to oblanceolate or linear, base tapered to clasping, margins entire or obscurely dentate distally, apex obtuse to acute. Thyrses continuous to ± interrupted, cylindric, 1–12 cm, axis glandular-pubescent, verticillasters (1–)3–7, cymes (1 or)2–4-flowered, 2 per node; proximal bracts ovate to lanceolate, 8–34 × 2–16 mm; peduncles and pedicels glandular-pubescent. Flowers: calyx lobes lanceolate, 4.8–6.2 × 1.2–1.9 mm, glandular-pubescent; corolla blue to violet, with reddish violet nectar guides, bilabiate, tubular-funnelform, 15–20(–22) mm, sparsely white-lanate or glabrous internally abaxially, tube 4–6 mm, throat gradually inflated, not constricted at orifice, 4–7 mm diam., rounded abaxially; stamens included, pollen sacs opposite, navicular, 1.1–1.4 mm, dehiscing completely, sutures papillate; staminode 7–9 mm, included or reaching orifice, 0.3–0.5 mm diam., tip straight to recurved, distal 4–5 mm sparsely pubescent, hairs yellow, to 0.8 mm; style 10–12 mm. Capsules 6–10 × 4–6 mm.
Phenology: Flowering Apr–Jun.
Habitat: Shale or gravelly mesas and slopes, sagebrush shrublands, pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Elevation: 1300–2000 m.
Discussion
Penstemon moffatii is known from Delta, Grand, Mesa, and Montrose counties, Colorado, and Garfield, Grand, and Wayne counties, Utah. Plants with oblanceolate basal leaves and sessile cauline leaves from Montrose County, Colorado, have been distinguished as subsp. paysonii. Plants with these characteristics are found sporadically throughout the range of P. moffatii, sometimes in populations with plants referable to subsp. moffatii.
Selected References
None.