Sweet Penstemon
Penstemon angustifolius var. dulcis
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5T2
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Penstemon angustifolius var. dulcis is known from Iron, Juab and Miller Counties, Utah where it has a restricted range within the Utah Great Basin. This species is often associated with Artemisia, Atriplex and Juniperus species in sand dune habitat. Sweet Penstemon has pink flowers that can blend in with the spring sunsets of the desert. The tubular flowers bloom around the stem in a ring where the leaves emerge. The leaves grow opposite each other in pairs on this rare great basin gem which has many features that help positively identify it.
Description
Penstemon angustifolius var. dulcis is known from Iron, Juab and Miller Counties, Utah where it has a restricted range within the Utah Great Basin. This species is often associated with Artemisia, Atriplex and Juniperus species in sand dune habitat. Sweet Penstemon has pink flowers that can blend in with the spring sunsets of the desert. The tubular flowers bloom around the stem in a ring where the leaves emerge. The leaves grow opposite each other in pairs on this rare great basin gem which has many features that help positively identify it.
Phenology
Flowers May to June.
Diagnostic characteristics
Sweet penstemon is distinguished from other varieties in the P. angustifolius complex by its pink to rose corollas which remain pink-rose when drying rather than turning violet or blue like other varieties. Sweet penstemon also has linear-lanceolate lower and middle cauline leaves with rarely surpass 8 mm wide.
Species range
Penstemon angustifolius var. dulcis is known from Iron, Juab and Millard Counties where it is a Utah Great Basin endemic.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies