Stemless Beardtongue
Penstemon acaulis
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Penstemon acaulis var acaulis or stemless beardtongue can be recognized by its sessile blue flowers that appear to be growing straight from the a creeping mat of leaves. This species was first discovered back in 1932 by Louis Williams and has been observed sporadically since then in southwestern Wyoming and northeastern Utah where it’s endemic.
Description
Penstemon acaulis var acaulis or stemless beardtongue can be recognized by its sessile blue flowers that appear to be growing straight from the a creeping mat of leaves. This species was first discovered back in 1932 by Louis Williams and has been observed sporadically since then in southwestern Wyoming and northeastern Utah where it’s endemic.
Phenology
This plant usually flowers starting mid-May through late June depending on precipitation levels in the spring.
Diagnostic characteristics
Penstemon acaulis var acaulis has beautiful blue-purple flowers with yellow bearded throats seemingly attached to the leaves.This species can be easily recognized by its short stature and creeping habits along with the lack of a flowering stem.
Species range
Narrow endemic of southwestern Wyoming (Sweetwater County) and northeastern Utah (Daggett County). A few plants have been sighted in the corner of Colorado (Moffat County).
Threats or limiting factors
Locations are threatened by recreational activities in the Flaming Gorge Natural Resource Area and by their presence on privately owned lands. One Utah population is in an area where a large population of deer winter, but no negative impact by deer has been confirmed. Additionally, trampling by livestock in a number of areas was noted in 2011 (Jouseau 2012). Drought and other aspects of climate change may also be a threat to this species given the region where it is found has a high evapotranspiration rate and low rainfall (Jouseau 2012). Long term drought is occurring throughout the range of this species (Jouseau 2012). There are roads and utility line (transmission) near occurrences.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies