Ben's Beardtongue
Penstemon franklinii
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G1
State (S-rank): S1S2
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
General information
Penstemon franklinii is known from a limited range in Iron county, Utah where it occurs only in the Cedar Valley of the Utah Great Basin. This species is often associated with sagebrush shrublands and grasslands. Ben's Beardtongue is a blue-lavender almost pink flowering plant with sticky flowers a yellow hairy staminode in the center. The entire plant is less than 10 inches tall and has thin, folded leaves that grow opposite each other and clasp the stem. This cheery little gem is a special find in the harsh landscape that has shaped its very beautiful and distinct features.
Description
Penstemon franklinii is known from a limited range in Iron county, Utah where it occurs only in the Cedar Valley of the Utah Great Basin. This species is often associated with sagebrush shrublands and grasslands. Ben's Beardtongue is a blue-lavender almost pink flowering plant with sticky flowers a yellow hairy staminode in the center. The entire plant is less than 10 inches tall and has thin, folded leaves that grow opposite each other and clasp the stem. This cheery little gem is a special find in the harsh landscape that has shaped its very beautiful and distinct features.
Phenology
Flowers May to June.
Diagnostic characteristics
Penstemon franklinii and Penstemon pinorum are regionally similar species which both occur in Iron County, Utah. These species can be positively identified by floral features and by their leaves.
- Penstemon franklinii has larger flowers which measure 14-22 mm long and larger anthers which measure 1.6-1.8 mm long. The leaves have entire or slightly toothed leaf margins.
- Penstemon pinorum has smaller flowers that are 10-15 mm long and smaller anthers which are 1.1-1.4 mm long. The leaves have sharply toothed leaf margins.
Species range
Utah Great Basin endemic, known only from the north end of Cedar Valley in Iron County, Utah.
Threats or limiting factors
The main threats are from habitat degradation due to grazing, transmission line corridors, invasive species, drought, and road maintenance. In 2005 there was a threat of energy lease sales in the area. Areas were deferred from the sale due to the presence of this plant.
Taxonomy
No, this species does not have taxonomic discrepancies