Bear River Range Beardtongue
Penstemon compactus
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G2
State (S-rank): S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Penstemon compactus is one of the many awe-inspiring plants that can be appreciated during the late summer months when visiting the Naomi wilderness area of Northern Utah. The plant can be seen painting the landscape with its large blue and purple flowers, contrasting with the numerous other white, yellow and red wildflowers that makes the Naomi wilderness the scenic wonder that it is. Regardless of its attractive qualities, the plants large, showy flowers speak volumes to its importance as a pollinator species.
Description
Penstemon compactus is one of the many awe-inspiring plants that can be appreciated during the late summer months when visiting the Naomi wilderness area of Northern Utah. The plant can be seen painting the landscape with its large blue and purple flowers, contrasting with the numerous other white, yellow and red wildflowers that makes the Naomi wilderness the scenic wonder that it is. Regardless of its attractive qualities, the plants large, showy flowers speak volumes to its importance as a pollinator species.
Phenology
Flowers from June to August
Diagnostic characteristics
This species of Penstemon is distinguished by its large showy blue flowers, folded leaves and small stature
Species range
A northern Wasatch Mountain endemic. Known from high elevations near Tony Lake and Mt. Naomi in Cache Co., Utah and in Franklin Co., Idaho (Welsh et al. 2008).
Threats or limiting factors
This plant is fairly abundant and widespread in the Logan Naomi wilderness area. Hikers and trails are likely impacting some occurrences. Impacts from OHV use were reported for some observations in Providence Canyon (URPD, accessed 2025). At least thirty observations in the Utah Rare Plant Database list farming and ranching as a threat in the Davenport Hollow and Doubletop Mountain occurrences (URPD, accessed 2025). Research suggests that species of high elevation could be vulnerable to climate change but no information is available for this particular species.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies