Penstemon whippleanus
(Dusky Beardtongue)
Penstemon whippleanus, Upper Crystal Lake, Summit Co. 7313/7337
Penstemon whippleanus, Shrine Ridge Trail, Eagle Co. 6925
Penstemon whippleanus, Mayflower Gulch, Summit Co. 0390
Penstemon whippleanus, Blue Lakes, Summit Co. 0121
Penstemon whippleanus, Mayflower Gulch, Summit Co. 3790
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 |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Ten Mile Range and Rhodiola integrifolia (King’s Crown) in Summit County